/:  .06'. 


^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^ 


Presented    by(5T<SOT^dl£7  V?o\:)^r^30Y~^  ■^3)3) 

BV  4010  .J3  1868 

James,  John  Angel  1,  1785- 

1859. 
An  earnest  ministry 


AN 


EARNEST    MINISTRY 


THE 


WANT  OF  THE  TIMES. 

BY  ^ 

JOHN  ANGELL  JAMES. 

WITH   AN 

INTRODUCTION. 

BY 

Kev.  JONATHAN  B.   CONDIT,  D.D., 

Profsssor  of  Sacred  Rhetoric  and  Pastoral  Theology  in  Auburn 
Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

No,  821  Chestnut  Street. 


NOTICE, 


This  work  was  republished  a  number  of  years 
ago  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  had  at  that  time  an 
extensive  circulation.  But  it  gradually  disappeared 
from  the  market,  and  for  some  years  has  been  out  of 
print  or  not  procurable,  although  often  inquired  for. 

A  generous  friend  of  the  Board  of  Publication  re- 
cently found  an  opportunity  to  purchase  the  stereo- 
type plates,  which  he  did  wholly  at  his  own  cost,  and 
presented  them  to  the  Board,  which  is  thus  enabled, 
advantageously  to  the  Church  and  to  itself,  to  repro- 
duce this  valuable  book. 

There  are  some  references  in  the  volume  to  per- 
sons and  to  local  circumstances  peculiar  to  Great 
Britain  which,  some  may  suppose,  could  have  been 
omitted  with  advantage  from  this  new  issue.  But 
after  a  careful  examination  and  much  reflection 
and  counsel,  it  has  been  deemed  best,  to  avoid  any 
possible  charge  of  injustice  to  the  author,  who  has 
within  a  few  years  gone  up  to  his  reward,  to  reissue  it 
without  alteration  or  abridgment.     Let  it,  however, 


4  NOTICE. 

be  borne   in   mind   that  it  was   originally  intended 
more  especially  for  British  readers. 

The  vohime  is  now  seat  forth  afresh,  with  the 
earnest  hope  of  all  concerned  that  it  may  carry  new 
life  and  a  blessing  from  on  high  to  the  ministry  of  our 
American  Presbyterian  Church,  and  especially  to  our 
more  youthful  ministers. 

Editor  of  the  Board. 

Philadelphia,  A.  D.  1868. 


INTRODUCTION. 

By  the  Key.  JONATHAN   B.  CONDIT,  D.D. 


The  Christian  ministry,  in  its  character  and  work,  is  ^ 
subject  of  growing  interest  in  this  country.  During  the 
last  twenty-five  years  it  has  been  the  object  of  much  effort 
to  furnish  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  meet  the  demand. 
The  claims  of  the  office  have  been  set  forth  strongly  in 
view  of  our  extending  and  destitute  population.  Institu- 
tions have  been  multiplied  for  the  purpose  of  educating 
men  for  the  work.  So  deeply  has  this  necessity  been  felt, 
and  so  many  were  the  agencies  to  be  organized  and  sus- 
tained to  supply  it,  that  we  have  been  in  danger  of  think- 
ing too  Httle  of  the  character  of  the  ministry.  While  the 
efforts  to  increase  its  numbers  ought  not  to  be  diminished, 
it  must  not  be  forgotten  that  a  numerous  ministry  may  not 
be  an  efficient  one. 

Many,  it  is  believed,  will  rejoice  in  the  appearance  of 
this  work  by  Mr.  James,  who  has  presented  the  subject, 
in  one  of  its  departments,  in  a  most  impressive  manner. 
If  the  respected  author  had  written  for  American  readers, 
doubtless  some  things  would  have  been  omitted.  But 
nothing  will  be  found  in  the  book  to  hinder  its  usefulness. 


VI  INTRODUCTION, 

It  is  obvious  that  the  subject  has  deeply  interested  the 
mind  of  the  writer.  An  earnest  heart  guides  his  able  pen. 
No  minister,  or  candidate  for  the  ministry,  can  read  the 
book  without  receiving  a  deep  impression  of  the  greatness 
of  the  trust  and  some  valuable  aid  in  the  discharge  of  it. 

It  is  generally  acknowledged,  that  we  must  rely  on  the 
living  ministry  as  the  principal  agency  for  the  extension  of 
the  Gospel  in  this  land,  not  simply  in  view  of  the  prom- 
inence which  Christ  has  given  it  in  his  word,  and  in  the 
progress  of  the  church,  but  because  of  its  adaptation  to 
the  condition  and  character  of  the  people. 

The  mind  of  this  nation  presents  some  remarkable  fea- 
tures in  its  present  character  and  position,  deeply  interest- 
ing to  the  Christian  as  well  as  the  philosopher  and  states- 
man. It  is  an  intellectual  life  which  is  not  marked  by  the 
quiet  pursuit  of  its  object,  but  by  an  incessant  and  hurried 
movement.  It  is  not  the  intellectual  action  of  a  few,  con- 
centrating in  one  constellation  the  light  of  the  age,  but 
it  involves  the  entire  people.  It  is  pre-eminently  a  dif- 
fused mental  activity.  The  superiority  of  mental  energy 
is  acknowledged  from  the  town-hall  of  the  country  village, 
to  the  chamber  of  the  senate.  If  this  action  is  somewhat 
superficial,  and  if  it  is  often  sustained  by  unhealthy  means, 
yet  it  is  everywhere  discernible. 

This  mind  is  not  of  one  common  type,  not  having  been 
educated  under  the  same  political  institutions,  nor  taken 
the  impress  of  any  one  system  of  religious  faith.  Many 
old  erroneous  opinions,  as  well  as  new,  have  their  ad- 
herents, and  are  struggling  for  prevalence  over  the  truth. 
We  have  a  mixture  of  intellectual  and  moral  elements, 
strikingly  diverse.  Tributaries  from  every  quarter  of  the 
globe  are  finding  their  way  into  our  stream,  and  must  ul- 
timately impart  to  it  their  different  hues.     We  wonder  not 


INTRODUCTIOX.  VU 

that  the  wisest  are  unable  to  foretell  what  is  to  be  the  result 
in  respect  to  the  strength  and  permanence  of  government  or 
the  religious  character  of  coming  generations.  We  wonder 
not  that  we  witness  the  conflict  of  thoucrht  and  feelinor ;  or 
that  we  are  sometimes  shaken  with  a  sudden  and  violent  con- 
cussion. These  cross-currents  of  mind  will  be  likely  to  keep 
up  a  deep  agitation. 

We  must  have  a  religious  agency  which  is  fitted  to  meet 
this  posture  of  things.  It  must  be  that  which  will  power- 
fully arrest  mind,  in  the  midst  of  its  warm  conflicts,  and 
bring  the  Gospel  in  its  full  power  to  the  sympathies  and 
hearts  of  the  people.  It  must  be  that  which  will  come  in 
where  worldliness,  ignorance,  and  corruption  reign,  with 
resources  adapted  to  overcome  prejudice,  supplant  error, 
and  lay  broad  and  permanent  foundations  for  the  reign  of 
truth  and  righteouness.  It  must  possess  the  wisdom, 
energy,  and  facility  in  action  to  meet  character  and  opinion 
of  every  type,  and  with  the  divine  blessing  to  mould  them 
according  to  the  truth  and  law  of  God. 

To  what  agency  do  such  qualifications  belong,  if  not  to 
the  Christian  ministry  ?  It  comes  with  the  power  of  a 
living  character,  visibly  illustrating  and  practically  enforc- 
ing the  truth.  By  its  ever-living  presence  it  encompasses 
mind  with  an  attracting  and  moulding  influence.  To  this, 
it  adds  the  wondrous  influence  of  oral  delivery.  We  im- 
pute no  magic  charm  to  the  human  voice  and  countenance. 
Yet  that  voice  is  made  to  speak  the  truth  in  tones  which 
move  the  heart.  In  the  human  face  there  is  a  strange 
power  of  speech.  It  is  the  language  of  the  soul  kindling 
into  sympathy  with  it  the  souls  of  the  hearers.  Reason 
about  it  as  we  may,  the  fact  is  as  wonderful  now  as  it 
ever  was.  There  is  no  example  of  influence  over  mind 
more  simple  and  sublime  than  that  of  a  man  of  God  in  the 


\m  INTRODUCTION. 

earnest  deli/ery  of  tlie  gospel  message.  He  does  not 
exert  it  by  means  of  unlioly  stratngem  or  mere  novelties  in 
style  and  action,  but  by  the  exhibition  of  truth  on  old, 
familiar  themes,  with  old  and  familiar  tones.  But  he  ex- 
hibits that  truth  with  a  heart  all  glowing  under  its  power. 
He  separates  his  hearers  from  the  associations  of  worldly 
business,  and  gathers  them  into  the  presence  of  Jehovah. 
He  charges  their  sins  against  them,  arraigns  them  at  the 
bar  of  God,  and  pronounces  their  doom  as  impenitent  men. 
Now  he  collects  over  them  the  clouds  of  Divine  wrath,  and 
then  he  draws  them  around  the  cross  and  makes  them  hear 
the  winning  voice  of  the  Redeemer.  He  does  it  with  the 
strength  and  courage  imparted  by  confidence  in  God,  but 
with  the  humiUty  and  love  of  a  man  and  a  sinner.  They 
love  to  hear  the  tones  of  such  a  voice ;  to  feel  the  power 
of  that  speaking  eye,  as  that  voice  and  that  eye  utter  the 
gushing  thoughts  of  a  spirit  intensely  moved  in  sympathy 
with  them.  What  reader  of  Edwards'  sermon,  entitled 
"Sinners  in  the  hands  of  an  angry  God,"  is  impressed 
as  they  were  who  heaid  him  utter  it  in  the  solemn  earnest- 
ness of  the  pulpit  ?  We  read  the  sermons  of  Whitfield 
without  the  realization  of  the  power  which  accompanied 
his  preaching.  We  by  no  means  attribute  the  astonishing 
effects  of  his  preaching  only  to  his  look,  tone,  and  action  as 
a  speaker.  We  forget  not  that  these  were  the  expression 
of  a  soul,  into  the  depths  of  which  the  truth  had  come  with 
a  penetrating,  awakening  influence,  and  that  the  power  of 
God  attended  him.  Yet,  in  his  ready  speech,  so  as  never 
"  to  stumble  at  a  word,  and  never  to  stop  for  the  want  of 
one;"  in  his  natural  gracefulness  and  inimitable  power 
of  action ;  in  his  ability  "to  paint  with  all  the  effect  of  real 
scenery,"  and  to  make  sinners  tremble,  as  if  about  to 
sink  into  perdition,  and  even   belidve  themselves   doomed 


INTRODUCTION.  IX 

as  in  the  tone  and  air  of  a  judge  he  pronounced  the  sen- 
tence, "  Depart !" — we  have  those  qualities  which  constitute 
the  peculiar  advantage  of  the  preacher  in  gaining  attention 
to  the  truth,  and  which  are  worthy  of  being  diligently- 
cultivated. 

Now  we  affirm  that  in  view  of  the  genius  and  habits  of 
our  people,  we  must  look  to  the  living  ministry  to  do  a 
great  work  in  this  nation.  Such  an  agency  will  accord 
with  the  method  of  awakening  and  guiding  mind  in  other 
departments  of  thought  and  action  among  all  classes.  If 
this  is  true  of  the  older  sections  of  the  country,  it  is  even 
more  characteristic  of  communities  less  enlightened,  and 
less  disciplined  to  the  patient  study  of  truth.  The  people 
are  accustomed  to  instruction  and  persuasion  by  the  ear- 
nest speaker.  So  the  voice  of  the  living  preacher  must 
obtain  the  ear  of  the  people,  as,  with  the  Bible  in  his  hand, 
he  unfolds  its  doctrines,  if  these  glorious  truths  find  a 
lodgment,  and  mould  the  mind  and  character  of  successive 
generations.  We  tremble  to  think  of  the  amazing  re- 
sponsibility resting  on  the  gospel  ministry  in  its  relation 
to  our  country's  salvation.  In  view  of  its  intrusted  work, 
what  importance  belongs  to  its  spirit  and  character.  How 
shall  it  execute  its  trust  without  a  large  endowment  of  the 
graces  of  the  Spirit,  and  a  Christ-like  devotion  and  self- 
denial  ? 

In  view  of  the  work  which  it  is  called  to  perform,  the 
Christian  ministry  in  this  land  must  be  eminently  spiritual 
and  practical  in  its  character.  The  importance  of  a  com- 
plete intellectual  furniture  is  not  disputed.  The  point  is 
settled  that  the  men  who  are  to  occupy  the  sacred  office 
must  have  the  opportunity  for  making  thorough  literary 
and  theological  attainments.  The  demand  for  learning  in 
the  ministry  is  too  loud  to  be  disregarded.     Wherever  the 

1* 


X  INTRODUCTION. 

preacher  finds  his  field  of  action,  he  will  have  occasion 
for  the  most  skilful  use  of  the  best  weapons.  Let  him  not 
venture  forth  into  the  field  of  battle  A^ithout  full  armor. 
But  if  the  result  of  that  intellectual  training  is  to  appear 
in  abstract,  philosophical  preaching,  the  American  pulpit 
will  never  accomplish  its  appropriate  work.  Far  off  be 
the  day  when  the  ministers  of  Christ  shall  exalt  meta- 
physical subtleties  above  the  doctrine  of  the  cross  ;  when 
they  shall  seek  to  attain  skill  in  frigid  argumentation,  rather 
than  a  holy  facility  in  the  spiritual  and  practical  work  of 
guiding  souls  to  Christ  and  to  heaven  ;  when  intellectual 
gratification  shall  be  more  thought  of  than  the  edification 
of  the  humble  Christian  ;  in  their  mode  of  exhibiting  truth, 
overlooking  the  spiritual  wants  and  difficulties  of  the  com- 
mon mind.  Such  ministers  will  make  the  pulpit  jejune  and 
powerless  in  respect  to  its  most  essential  objects.  Their 
cold  light  will  shine  without  touching  the  hearts  of  men. 
They  will  defeat  the  mission  of  truth  from  the  throne  to  this 
world  of  sin  and  darkness.  They  cannot  compass  the  mighty 
work  which  God  puts  into  their  hands. 

We  need  a  ministry  whose  intellectual  furniture  and 
energy  have  come  under  the  influence  of  a  spiritual  piety, 
nurtured  in  communion  with  Christ.  Then  it  will  be 
"strong  and  do  exploits."  The  preacher  must  not  only 
know  what  conscience  is,  but  how  to  reach  it  with  the 
truth.  He  must  know  what  is  the  hungering  of  a  soul 
after  the  bread  of  life,  and  how  to  divide  and  distribute  the 
word  so  as  to  satisfy  the  hungry.  It  must  be  the  "  living 
bread,"  and  not  the  speculations  of  the  theorist,  however 
expert  he  may  be  ;  that  which  will  be  the  element  of  vigor 
and  life  to  the  spiritual  man.  To  show  unto  men  the  way 
of  salvation,  he  must  regard  as  the  object  worthy  of  his 
most  select  and  untiring  efforts.     The  practical  rules  of 


INTRODUCTION.  H 

Christian  living,  must  be  his  famihar  themes  of  discourse. 
Hence  scholastic  learning  is  not  enough,  lest  he  be  a  mere 
scholastic  preacher.  Rhetorical  rules,  however  thoroughly- 
mastered,  are  not  enough,  lest  he  be  a  mere  orator.  His 
investigations  ot  truth,  though  pursued  with  enthusiasm, 
and  presented  in  elaborate  discussion,  will  affect  no  human 
heart,  if  they  are  not  made  to  bear  directly  on  the  repent- 
ance, faith,  and  sanctification  of  men.  If  his  commission 
as  minister  of  the  gospel  is  executed  in  a  manner  appro- 
priate to  its  high  designs,  he  must  be  a  man  skilled  in  the 
workings  of  the  human  soul,  interested  in  all  the  relations 
of  common  life,  and  apt  in  the  inculcation  of  truth  with 
regard  to  all  the  difficulties  and  duties  of  those  relations ; 
while  he  is  absorbed  in  the  one  great  object  for  which  Christ 
died. 

This  characteristic  of  the  ministry  is  worthy  to  be 
greatly  exalted  above  the  observance  of  any  one  law  in  the 
structure  of  sermons.  Yet  this  is  not  a  point  of  little  mo- 
ment. We  should  much  regret  if  the  American  pulpit 
should  ever  become  chiefly  hortatory.  Examples  have 
proved  that  the  pulpit  has  lost  power  when  the  hortatory- 
style  has  been  habitually  adopted.  Earnestness  in  the  pul- 
pit is  entirely  consistent  with  a  discriminating  and  instruct- 
ive exhibition  of  truth.  It  is  by  no  means  supposed  that 
this  can  only  be  done  with  written  discourses.  Yet,  while 
y  .ome  are  eminent  for  such  a  style  of  preaching,  who  seldom 
write,  we  believe  if  this  practice  should  become  universal, 
the  instances  would  be  multiplied  in  which  the  perma- 
nent interest  and  power  of  the  pulpit  would  not  be  sus- 
tained. It  is  admitted  that  the  immediate  effects  of  Pay- 
son's  preaching  were  often  most  striking  in  connection  with 
some  of  his  unwritten  discourses.  But  this  might  not  have 
been,  if  he  had  not  preached  one  written  sermon  every  Sab 


Xll  INTRODUCTION. 

bath.  This,  his  practice,  was  doubtless  indispensable  to 
make  his  ministry  what  it  was,  and  to  perpetuate  its  re- 
markable influence. 

The  quality  of  the  ministry  to  which  allusion  has  been 
made,  would  naturally  tend  to  give  it  a  more  scriptural 
character.  And  what  improvement  is  more  desirable  than 
a  richer  infusion  into  the  discourses  of  the  pulpit  of  the 
pm-e  word  of  God?  Not  only  make  the  text  penetrate 
the  sermon,  but  let  other  parts  of  the  Scriptures  be  made 
to  gather  around  it,  to  shed  light  upon  it  and  receive  light 
from  it.  Occasional  American  hearers  of  some  ministers  in 
England  and  Scotland  have  marked  this  characteristic  with 
great  pleasure.  If  it  should  diminish  the  brilliancy  of  the 
pulpit  it  would  add  to  its  richness.  Fewer  orations  will  be 
delivered,  but  many  better  seiTnons.  A  prevalent  unhealthy 
taste  may  not  be  so  well  satisfied  for  a  time,  but  a  better 
taste  will  soon  be  foiTned.  It  will  furnish  the  best  oppor- 
tunity for  awakening  emotion  and  affecting  the  conscience, 
as  well  as  imparting  instruction.  Thus  obtaining  vivid  im- 
pressions of  truth,  the  preacher  will  possess  one  element  of 
true  earnestness  in  the  pulpit ;  for  he  will  speak  not  only 
with  all  the  authority  of  truth,  but  with  a  soul  deeply  im- 
bued with  the  spirit  of  it.  Then  he  will  have  a  holy  unc- 
tion, and  will  give  forth  both  light  and  heat.  A  spiritual, 
practical,  scriptural,  as  well  as  learned  ministry  will  be  ear- 
nest ;  and  that  is  the  ministry  God  will  bless  for  the  enlight- 
enment and  salvation  of  our  country. 


PROFESSORS    AND    COMMITTEE 
OF    CHESHUNT    COLLEGE, 

THE    FOLLOWING    TREATLSE, 

BEING    THE    EXPANSION    OF    A    SERMON 

PREACHED 

BEFORE     THEM     AT     THEIR     LAST     ANNIVERSAKT, 

IS    INSCRIBED 

WITH  SENTIMENTS  OF  AFFECTIONATE  RESPECT, 

AND    WITH    EARNEST    PRAYERS 

F-yU.   THE    PROSPKRITV 

OF    THEIR    VALUABLE     INSTITUTION, 

THE   AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS. 


PAOB 

Preface .17 

CHAPTER   I. 

The  Apostolic  Ministry, 23 

CHAPTER   n. 

The  Nature  of  Earnestness, 33 

CHAPTER   HI. 
Earnestness  Exemplified  in  the  Matter  and  Manner  of  Preach- 
ing,        71 

CHAPTER   IV. 

Earnestness  in  Reference  to  Manner,  ......     88 

CHAPTER  V. 
Specimens  of  Earnestness  from  various  Authors,         ,        .         ,  101 

CHAPTER   VI. 
Earnestness,  as  Manifested  in  the  DeUvery  <>i  Sermons,      .         .   124 

CHAPTER    Vil. 
Earnestness  Manifested  'n  the  Pastorate,     .         .         .        .         .153 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Examples  of  Earnestness,     .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .167 

CHAPTER    IX. 
Motives  to  Earnestness,        .         .         .         .         .        .         .         .181 

CHAPTER   X. 
Means  to  be  used  for  obtaining  an  Earnest  Ministry,  .        .        .  243 

CHAPTER   XI. 
On  the  Necessity  of  Divine  Influence  for  an  Efficient  Ministry,  .  276 


PREFACE 


Has  the  modern  evangelical  pulpit  lost,  and  is  it  still 
losing,  any  of  its  power  ?  This  is  a  question  far  too 
momentous  to  be  asked  in  the  spirit  of  mere  curiosity,  or 
to  be  answered  in  unreflectinor  and  isfnorant  haste.  An 
affirmative  reply  involves  consequences  so  deeply  and  so 
painfully  affecting  the  eternal  welfare  of  mankind,  as  well 
as  the  cause  of  orthodox  doctrine,  that  it  should  not  be 
given  but  upon  indubitable  evidence  ;  while  on  the  other 
hand,  a  negative  answer  will  only  perpetuate  the  evil,  if  it 
really  exists,  by  preventing  all  measures  which  miglit  be 
taken  to  correct  it.  In  settling  this  question,  it  is  neces- 
sary to  define  what  is  meant  by  the  loss  of  the  power  of 
the  pulpit.  If  by  this  it  is  intended  only  to  ask  wliether 
evangelical  ministrations  have  lost  their  attractiveness  in 
drawing  the  people  together  to  hear  them,  it  may  be  un- 
hesitatmgly  affirmed  that  they  have  not,  for  perhaps  there 
was  never  anything  approaching  the  numbers  which  now 
are  found  listening  to  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation.  The 
true  intent  of  the  inquiry  then  is  this :  Has  the  modern 
pulpil  lost  any  of  its  efficacy  as  regards  the  great  end  for 
which  the  Gospel  is  preached,  that  is,  the  conversion  of 


XVlll  PREFACE. 

sinners,  and  tlie  spiritual  advancement  of  believers  ?  In 
coming  to  a  riglit  conclusion  upon  tins  matter,  another  in- 
quiry still  must  be  proposed,  which  is  this :  With  wliat  past 
period  of  history  is  the  present  compared  ?  If  we  go  back 
to  the  time  of  Baxter,  Howe,  Owen,  Bates,  Manton, 
and  Charnock,  there  can  be  little  reason  to  believe,  it  may 
be  presumed,  that  the  moderns  preach  with  the  same  results 
that  these  men  did.  As  little  can  it  be  questioned  whether 
Whitfield  and  Wesley,  with  the  men  called  up  by  their 
labors,  proclaimed  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  with 
more  power  and  success  than  the  preachers  of  the  present 
day.  It  is  better,  therefore,  to  limit  the  range  of  inquiiy 
to  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  and  to  state  the  matter 
thus  :  Does  the  preaching  of  the  gospel  now,  taking  all 
evangelical  denominations  into  the  investigation,  appear  to 
be  followed  with  the  same  saving  and  sanctifying  results, 
as  it  was  then  ;  and  if  not,  does  tliere  appear  to  be  a  pro- 
gressive diminution  of  effect  still  going  on  ? 

This,  it  must  be  obvious,  is  a  question  which  cannot  be 
settled  by  very  accurate  statistics,  and  for  the  solution  of 
which  we  must  depend  pretty  much  upon  general  reports, 
and  concurrent  testimony.  It  may  be  asked,  then,  whether 
the  want  of  efficiency  is  not  matter  of  acknowledgment 
and  lamentation  by  all  evangelical  bodies  ?  True  it  is  that 
to  a  certain  extent  similar  acknowledgments  and  lamenta- 
tions have  been  made  in  every  age,  and  by  ministers  of  all 
denominations.  But  the  inquiry  now  supposed  is  made 
chiefly  by  those  who  compare  themselves  with  themselves; 
and  their  success  at  the  present  time,  with  their  own  suc- 
cess in  the  p^ist  time.  The  confession  from  the  United 
States,  made  by  Presbyterians,  Congregationalists,  Bap- 
tists and  Methodists,  is  concurrent,  that  there  is  a  flatness 
over  the  churches,  that  revivals  are  rar3,  and  conversions 


PREFACE.  XIX 

few,  while  tjie  power  of  godliness  among  professing  Chris- 
tians is  low.  Tlie  Methodist  body  in  these  United  King- 
doms, reported  last  year  but  an  increase  of  about  seven 
hundred  members.  The  evangelical  clergy  of  the  Church 
of  England  lament  the  want  of  conversions  by  their  preach- 
ing, and  confess  that  the  power  of  Venn,  and  Romaine, 
and  Cecil,  and  Newton,  seems  wanting  to  their  succes- 
sors. The  Baptists  and  Independents  have  no  better 
report  to  make.  Dr.  Chalmers,  in  a  late  article  in  the 
North  British  Review,  in  speaking  of  Scotland,  and  that  at 
a  time  when  the  disruption  of  the  Presbyteiian  Establish- 
ment might  have  been  supposed  to  have  given  new 
activity  to  the  Free  Church  at  least,  uses  the  following 
mournful  language :  "  As  things  stand  at  present,  our 
creeds  and  confessions  have  become  effete,  and  the  Bible 
a  dead  letter ;  and  the  orthodoxy  which  was  at  one  time 
the  glory,  by  withering  into  the  inert  and  lifeless,  is  now 
the  shame  and  reproach  of  all  our  churches."  This  is 
strong  language,  and  a  startling  opinion.  But  the  most 
melancholy  thing  connected  with  it  is  its  truth. 

Assuming  then  the  fact  that  the  modern  evangelical 
pulpit  hxis  lost,  and  is  losing,  something  of  its  power,  in 
the  way  of  converting  sinners,  and  carrying  forward  the 
spiritual  life  of  believers,  it  surely  becomes  us  all  to  reflect 
upon  the  painful  fact  with  the  deepest  seriousness,  and  the 
most  intense  anxiety,  and  at  the  same  time  to  inquire  after 
the  cause.  It  would  ill  become  us,  in  a  spirit  of  antino- 
mian  indolence  or  fanaticism,  to  resolve  this  whole  matter 
into  Divine  sovereignty,  and  to  say,  "  God  wills  it."  With 
the  same  reason,  and  on  as  good  ground,  might  the  im- 
penitent sinner  be  satisfied  with  his  condition,  and  trace  it 
up  to  a  withholding  of  the  influence  necessary  for  his  con- 
version.   That  there  is  a  suspension  of  Divine  influence 


XX  PREP..CE. 

must  be  admitted,  if  there  be  a  diminished  saving  result ; 
but  as  the  Spirit  uses  appropriate  means,  may  not  this 
very  suspension  itself  be  traced  up  to  some  fault  of  the 
preachers  themselves  ?  Would  not  a  different  order  of 
means  lead  to  a  removal  of  this  suspension  of  the  Spirit's 
power  ?  The  question  for  us  to  ask  in  all  seriousness  and 
prayerful  examination,  is  this  :  Does  the  diminished  power 
of  the  pulpit  arise  from  a  diminished  adaptation  of  the 
pulpit,  or  is  the  deficiency  which  is  lamented  to  be  traced 
up  exclusively  to  the  circumstances  of  the  times  that  are 
now  passing  over  us  ?  Something  may  be  set  down  to 
both  these  causes. 

This  is  a  matter  that  concerns  all,  and  deeply  concerns 
them  too,  for  the  tendency  of  decline  is  always  downward ; 
what  is  weak  will  become  weaker,  if  not  stopped. 

There  is  another  consideration  Avhich  may  account  for 
the  diminished  effect  of  the  pulpit,  and  that  is  an  increased 
power  of  the  press  and  of  the  school.  At  one  time  the 
preacher  had  the  public  mind  almost  to  himself.  There 
were  indeed  Bibles,  and  schools,  ami  tracts,  but  how  few 
and  uninfluential,  compared  with  what  they  are  in  the  pres- 
ent day  !  Evangelical  truth  now  comes  before  the  million 
in  every  possible  variety  of  form,  and  in  every  variable  quan- 
tity :  the  child  learns  its  lessons  from  the  Sunday  school 
teacher,  and  the  poorest  adult  reads  it  at  home  in  the  tract 
and  the  penny  magazine ;  and  though  this  is  a  help  in  one 
respect  to  the  preacher,  it  takes  from  him  all  the  advantage 
which  novelty  of  representation  can  give  him,  for  he  has 
been  already  forestalled  by  the  living  voice  of  the  teacher, 
and  the  silent  invitations  of  the  tract.  These  auxiliary 
means  of  conversion  will  never  supersede  the  pulpit,  if  the 
pulpit  does  not  allow  itself  to  he  superseded  ;  but  it  is  evi- 
dent that  such  competitors  with  it  as  these  for  the  public 


PREFACE.  XXI 

mind,  should  in:  rease  its  labors  to  be,  what  God  ever  in- 
tended it  to  be,  his  power  to  the  salvation  of  men.  That 
the  pulpit  has  nothing  to  fear  from  the  increase  of  religious 
knowledge  by  the  school  and  the  press,  is  evident  from  the 
fact  that  as  science  multiplies  its  treatises,  and  cheapens 
them  down  to  the  poorest  pocket,  it  multiplies  in  equal 
proportion  its  public  lecturers. 

The  views  thus  set  forth  in  this  preface  will  account  for 
the  subject  of  the  volume  which  they  introduce.  We  live 
in  an  earnest  age,  and  nothing  but  an  earnest  ministry  may 
hope  to  succeed  in  it.  With  this  conviction,  when  honored 
with  an  invitation  to  preach  last  year  the  anniversary  ser- 
mon for  Cheshunt  College*  the  author  found  his  subject  in 
his  own  views  and  convictions.  The  pubhcation  of  the 
discourse  then  preached  was  solicited  at  the  time  of  its 
dehvery ;  but  as  it  was  given  to  the  world  pretty  fully  in 
the  pages  of  the  Patriot  newspaper,  he  abandoned  all 
thoughts  of  compljang  with  a  request  so  kindly  preferred. 

His  attention  was,  however,  called  again  to  the  subject, 
and  his  resolution  changed  by  the  solicitation  of  that  dis- 
tinguished man  who  presides  over  the  collegiate  institution 
at  Cheshunt  with  so  much  wisdom  and  dignity  ;  and  who 
to  all  his  other  works,  so  rich  in  practical  piety,  has  added 
another  of  a  very  different  kind,  which,  while  it  lays  the 
world  under  deep  obligations  to  its  author,  will  associate 
the  name  of  Dr.  Harris  with  the  most  profound  religious 
philosophers  of  any  age  or  any  country.  May  his  valuable 
hfe  be  spared  to  complete  that  magnificent  series  of  trea- 
tises, which,  with  such  adventurous  but  well-balanced  in- 
tellect, he  has  projected,  and  of  which  the  volume  lately 
issued  is  but  the  commencement ! 

When  revising  the  manuscript  for  publication,  the  author 
of  this  work  found  it  admitted  of  more  expansion  of  thought 


XX  PREP..CE. 

must  be  admitted,  if  there  be  a  diminished  saving  result ; 
but  as  the  Spirit  uses  appropriate  means,  may  not  this 
ver}'^  suspension  itself  be  traced  up  to  some  fault  of  the 
preachers  themselves  ?  Would  not  a  different  order  of 
means  lead  to  a  removal  of  this  suspension  of  the  Spirit's 
power  ?  The  question  for  us  to  ask  in  all  seriousness  and 
prayerful  examination,  is  this  :  Does  the  diminished  power 
of  the  pulpit  arise  from  a  diminished  adaptation  of  the 
pulpit,  or  is  the  deficiency  which  is  lamented  to  be  traced 
up  exclusively  to  the  circumstances  of  the  times  that  are 
now  passing  over  us  ?  Something  may  be  set  down  to 
both  these  causes. 

This  is  a  matter  that  concerns  all,  and  deeply  concerns 
them  too,  for  the  tendency  of  decline  is  always  downward ; 
what  is  weak  will  become  weaker,  if  not  stopped. 

There  is  another  consideration  which  may  account  for 
the  diminished  effect  of  the  pulpit,  and  that  is  an  increased 
power  of  the  press  and  of  the  school.  At  one  time  the 
preacher  had  the  public  mind  almost  to  himself.  There 
were  indeed  Bibles,  and  schools,  and  tracts,  but  how  few 
and  uninfluential,  compared  with  what  they  are  in  the  pres- 
ent day  !  Evangelical  truth  now  comes  before  the  milhon 
in  every  possible  variety  of  form,  and  in  every  variable  quan- 
tity :  the  child  learns  its  lessons  from  the  Sunday  school 
teacher,  and  the  poorest  adult  reads  it  at  home  in  the  tract 
and  the  penny  magazine ;  and  though  this  is  a  help  in  one 
respect  to  the  preacher,  it  takes  from  him  all  the  advantage 
which  novelty  of  representation  can  give  him,  for  he  has 
been  already  forestalled  by  the  living  voice  of  the  teacher, 
and  the  silent  invitations  of  the  tract.  These  auxiliary 
means  of  conversion  Avill  never  supersede  the  pulpit,  if  the 
pulpit  does  not  allow  itself  to  he  superseded  ;  but  it  is  evi- 
dent that  such  competitors  ^vith  it  as  these  for  the  publio 


PREFACE.  XXI 

mind,  should  inc  rease  its  labors  to  be,  what  God  ever  in- 
tended it  to  be,  his  power  to  the  salvation  of  men.  That 
the  pulpit  has  nothing  to  fear  from  the  increase  of  religious 
knowledge  by  the  school  and  the  press,  is  evident  from  the 
fact  that  as  science  multiplies  its  treatises,  and  cheapens 
them  down  to  the  poorest  pocket,  it  multiphes  in  equal 
proportion  its  public  lecturers. 

The  views  thus  set  forth  in  this  preface  will  account  for 
the  subject  of  the  volume  which  they  introduce.  We  live 
in  an  earnest  age,  and  nothing  but  an  earnest  ministry  may 
hope  to  succeed  in  it.  With  this  conviction,  when  honored 
with  an  invitation  to  preach  last  year  the  anniversary  ser- 
mon for  Cheshunt  College*  the  author  found  his  subject  in 
his  own  views  and  convictions.  The  pubhcation  of  the 
discourse  then  preached  was  solicited  at  the  time  of  its 
dehvery ;  but  as  it  was  given  to  the  world  pretty  fully  in 
the  pages  of  the  Patriot  newspaper,  he  abandoned  all 
thoughts  of  complying  with  a  request  so  kindly  preferred. 

His  attention  was,  however,  called  again  to  the  subject, 
and  his  resolution  changed  by  the  solicitation  of  that  dis- 
tinguished man  who  presides  over  the  collegiate  institution 
at  Cheshunt  with  so  much  wisdom  and  dignity  ;  and  who 
to  all  his  other  works,  so  rich  in  practical  piety,  has  added 
another  of  a  very  different  kind,  which,  while  it  lays  the 
world  under  deep  obligations  to  its  author,  will  associate 
the  name  of  Dr.  Harris  with  the  most  profound  religious 
philosophers  of  any  age  or  any  country.  May  his  valuable 
Hfe  be  spared  to  complete  that  magnificent  series  of  trea- 
tises, which,  with  such  adventurous  but  well-balanced  in- 
tellect, he  has  projected,  and  of  which  the  volume  lately 
issued  is  but  the  commencement ! 

When  revising  the  manuscript  for  publication,  the  author 
of  this  work  found  it  admitted  of  more  expansion  of  thought 


XXU  PREFACE. 

and  more  extended  amplification  than  at  first  struck  him ; 
and  he  resolved  as  soon  as  time  should  be  found  for  it,  to 
prepare  a  small  treatise  which  should  have  a  better  chance 
of  living  than  an  ephemeral  pamphlet.  The  subject  grew 
under  his  hand,  and  has  at  length  swelled  into  this  volume. 
In  undertaking  to  become,  especially  at  such  length,  the 
counsellor  of  his  brethren,  he  can  scarcely  acquit  himself 
of  the  charge  of  presumption.  He  feels  that  he  has  little 
claim  upon  the  attention  of  his  fellow  laborers  in  the 
ministry,  even  the  youngest  of  them,  and  very  little  right 
to  ask  it.  True  it  is  that  he  is  now  arrived  at  an  age  when 
he  takes  his  place  among  the  fathers  ;  but  then  years  do 
not  always  teach  wisdom.  It  is  no  less  true  that  he  has 
now  labored  two  and  forty  years  in  the  ministry  of  «4ie 
Word,  and  has  had  no  very  limited  opportunity  of  observing 
and  of  knowing,  experimentally,  what  contributes  to  minis- 
terial acceptableness  and  usefulness ;  still  he  can  truly  say, 
without  a  grain  of  vanity  concealed  under  a  simulated 
modesty,  he  offers  the  present  treatise  to  the  notice  of  his 
brethren,  with  fear  and  trembling.  He  knows  that  what 
is  offered  to  them  should,  both  as  to  matter  and  manner, 
be  worthy  of  their  attention  ;  and  had  he  a  literary  reputa- 
tion to  sustain,  over  which  he  was  jealous  even  to  fastidi- 
ousness, he  would  feel  still  more  solicitude  about  the 
reception  of  his  work  ;  but  as  he  aims  at  nothing  but  use- 
fulness, without  making  any  pretensions  to  a  finished  style, 
he  can  ask  them  to  accept  it  as  an  affectionate  endeavor, 
made  in  his  own  way,  to  aid  their  usefulness.  God  has 
helped  him  to  do  something  for  His  cause,  and  knowing 
how  it  has  been  done,  he  is  anxious  to  draw  others  into 
the  same  way.  And  now  while  his  shadows  lengthen  on 
the  plain,  and  his  eye  is  on  the  declining  sun,  he  feels  that 
in  the  review  of  life,  the  thought  of  having  done  something 


PREFACE.  XXUl 

to  save  souls  from  death  is  more  precious,  than  could  have 
been  his  consciousness  of  having  made  the  largest  acquire- 
ments of  learning  and  science.  There  is  a  time  coming  in 
every  man's  history  when  the  knowledge  of  having  been 
the  instrument  to  pluck  a  single  brand  from  the  eternal 
burning,  will  yield  more  real  satisfaction  than  the  certainty 
of  having  accomphshed  the  loftiest  objects  of  literary 
ambition. 

The  author  anticipates  a  remark  which  will  be  made  by 
many  of  the  readers  of  this  volume,  that  it  is  a  book  of 
extracts.  They  will,  however,  have  no  cause  to  complain 
of  this,  since  what  he  has  given  from  the  stores  of  other 
men's  thoughts  is  so  much  better  than  what  he  could  have 
brought  from  his  own.  Besides,  in  so  important  a  matter 
as  advice  to  the  ministry,  he  was  anxious  to  be  sustained 
in  what  he  advanced,  by  the  authority  of  men,  whose 
names  and  counsels  would  carry  far  more  weight  than  his 
own.  Be  it  so,  then,  that  the  book  will  present  the 
appearance  of  a  literary  mosaic, — the  author  is  quite 
content,  for  the  sake  of  such  precious  stones,  that  his 
own  part  of  the  volume  should  perform  no  higher  office 
than  to  be  the  framework  in  which  they  are  set. 

There  will  be  found  some  repetitions  of  sentiment,  and 
even  of  expression,  in  the  work  ;  and  this  was  hardly  to  be 
avoided  from  the  nature  of  the  subject.  It  is  a  poor 
excuse  for  imperfections,  to  plead  the  want  of  lime  for 
correcting  them  ;  and  yet  it  is  the  best  excuse  the  author 
has  to  make  for  the  many  that  will  be  found  in  his  little 
volume.  His  situation  exposes  him  to  a  thousand  vexatious 
interruptions,  which  many  in  more  retired  nooks  know 
nothing  about.  These  pages  have  been  written  amidst 
such  abounding  and  various  occupations,  that  they  could 


XXIV  PREFACE. 

be  composed  only  during  snatches  of  time  redeemed  from 
other  duties,  and  from  the  intervals  of  busy  activities. 

If  this  work  should  do  nothing  more  than  draw  the 
attention  of  writers  in  our  Reviews  and  Magazines,  as  well 
as  of  our  more  talented  authors,  to  a  renewed  considera- 
tion of  that  most  vital  poijit,  our  ministry,  it  will,  howevei 
humble  are  its  pretensions  and  low  its  merits,  have  accom- 
plished a  high  and  holy  vocaticn. 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY. 


"  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though  God  did 
beseech  you  by  us;  we  pray  you  in  Christ's  stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to 
God."— 2  Cor.  v.  20. 


In  this  truly  wonderful  passage,  viewed  in  connection 
with  its  context,  are  set  before  us  with  beautiful  simplicity, 
yet  with  surpassing  grandeur,  the  theme,  the  design,  and 
the  method  of  the  Christian  ministry :  the  theme  is  God 
reconciling  the  world  to  himself,  a  subject  compared  with 
which  the  negotiations  of  hostile  nations  and  the  treaties 
which  put  an  end  to  the  horrors  of  war,  and  bind  in  con- 
cord the  fiercest  passions  of  humanity,  are  matters  of  only 
momentary  and  limited  importance :  the  design  of  the 
ministry,  which  is  strictly  in  harmony  with  its  theme,  is  to 
bring  sinful  men  into  actual  reconciliation  with  God  on  the 
ground  of  that  system  of  mediation  through  Christ,  which 
God  himself  has  devised  and  proclaimed :  and  its  method 
is  the  earnestness  of  persuasion  addressed  to  the  rebel 
heart  of  man,  to  induce  him  to  lay  aside  his  enmity  against 
his  offended  Sovereign,  and  to  accept  the  offer  of  a  gracious 
amnesty.  The  union  and  the  harmony  of  these  three  views 
of  the  ministry  are  singularly  impressive  :  he  who  leaves 
out  the  great  scheme  of  Christian  reconciliation  from  his 


26  THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY. 

habitual  ministration,  omits  the  divinely  appointed  theme  : 
he  who  does  not  supremely  aim  to  bring  sinners  into  a 
state  of  actual  friendship  with  God,  falls  short  of  the 
design  of  the  sacred  office  ;  while  he  who  does  not  employ 
all  the  arts  and  efforts  of  persuasion,  mistakes  the  method 
of  fulfilling  its  duties. 

As  the  apostle  is  writing  to  a  Christian  church,  it  is  per- 
haps a  matter  of  surprise  to  some  that  he  should  entreat 
them  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  who  by  their  very  profession 
of  religion  must  have  been  supposed  to  be  already  in  that 
state.  Upon  looking  attentively  at  the  passage  the  reader 
will  perceive  that  the  pronouns  of  the  second  person  are 
in  italics,  intimating  that  they  are  not  in  the  original  Greek, 
but  are  supplied  in  our  English  translation  to  complete  the 
sense ;  consequently  any  other  term  that  would  accom- 
plish this  better  may  be  substituted  for  them.  If  there- 
fore we  put  the  substantive  "  men,"  instead  of  the  pronoun 
**  you"  in  the  first  clause  of  the  verse,  and  the  third  per- 
sonal pronoun  "  them"  for  the  second  personal  pronoun 
"  you"  in  the  latter  clause,  we  shall  avoid  the  improbabil- 
ity of  his  calling  upon  professing  Christians  to  come  into 
a  state  to  which  they  must  be  supposed  to  have  already 
attained,  and  shall  bring  out  what  the  apostle  intended  to 
set  forth,  the  usual  manner  in  which  he  discharged  the 
functions  of  his  momentous  office ;  and  with  the  alterations 
it  Avould  ]-ead  thus :  "  As  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though 
God  did  beseech  men  by  us,  we  pray  them  in  Christ's  stead 
to  be  reconciled  to  God."  It  was  as  if  he  had  said, 
"  Wherever  we  go,  we  find  men  in  unprovoked  hostility, 
invetei-ate  enmity,  and  mad  rebellion  against  God's  holy 
nature,  law,  and  government.  We  carry  with  us,  as  his 
ambassadors,  tlie  proclamation  of  mercy  through  the  me- 
diation of  our  Lord  Jisus  Christ.     We  tell  them  that  we 


THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY.  27 

are  appointed  by  the  God  whom  they  have  offended,  and 
who  could  overwhelm  them  with  the  terrors  of  his  justice, 
to  call  upon  them  to  lay  down  their  arms  and  accept  the 
offer  of  eternal  pardon  and  peace  :  but  we  find  them  every- 
where so  bent  upon  their  sins  and  the  enjoyment  of  their 
worldly  occupations  and  possessions,  that  we  are  compelled 
to  use  the  language  of  the  most  vehement  entreaty,  and  to 
beseech  and  implore  them,  in  God's  name,  and  in  Christ's 
stead,  to  come  into  a  state  of  reconciliation." 

The  apostle  not  only  used  the  most  intense  earnestness 
of  entreaty  as  an  expression  of  his  own  concern,  but  he 
told  the  objects  of  his  imploring  anxiety  that  his  importu- 
nity for  their  welfare  was  but  an  imitation  of,  and  a  substitute 
for,  that  of  God  himself — that  his  beseeching  solicitation 
to  them,  on  behalf  of  their  own  salvation,  was  uttered  in 
Christ's  stead.  This  is  the  most  wonderful  scene  that  the 
universe  will  ever  witness — a  beseeching  God,  and  an  im- 
ploring Saviour,  standing  at  the  door  of  the  sinner's  heart 
with  eternal  salvation  in  his  hand,  knocking  for  entrance, 
and  begging  to  be  let  in ;  the  insulted  Omnipotent  Creator 
of  the  universe,  beseeching  a  worm,  whom  a  volition  of 
his  will  could  sink  in  a  moment  to  perdition,  and  whose 
justice  would  be  glorified  in  the  act,  to  accept  his  pardon- 
ing mercy  ;  and  waiting,  year  after  year,  in  all  long-suffer- 
ing, for  the  sinner's  reconsideration  of  his  obstinate  refu- 
sals. Be  astonished,  0  heavens !  at  God's  unutterable 
mercy,  and  be  horribly  afraid,  0  earth !  at  man's  indescri- 
bable wickedness !  Here  is  the  climax  of  God's  divine 
love,  and  man's  desperate  depravity.  Infinite  benevolence 
did  not  reach  its  uttermost  when  Jesus  Christ  was  nailed 
to  the  cross  ;  that  was  resei-ved  for  the  scene  before  us. 

I  might,  with  ineffable  delight,  expatiate  at  length  on 
this  scene  of  matchless  mercy;  but  I  pass  oi    to  other 


28  THE    APOSTOUC    MINIslllY. 

a})plications  of  the  passage  appropriate  to  the  subject 
before  us ;  and  what  a  view  does  it  give  us  of  the  Christian 
ministry.  It  is  an  embassy  from  God  to  rnar-.^  and  there- 
fore how  dignified  and  honorable  !  I  adnjit  th?,^.  it  is  only 
in  a  quaUfied  sense  that  the  title  and  officG  of  an  "  ambas- 
sador" for  Christ  can  be  applied  to  the  ordinary  ministers 
of  the  gospel :  but  in  such  a  sense  it  may  be  applied  to 
them,  since  they  are  ordained  to  do  what  he  would  do 
were  he  personally  present :  they  are  to  propose  the  same 
blessings,  to  lay  down  the  same  terms  of  peace,  as  he 
would,  were  he  again  on  earth,  and  are,  therefore,  so  far,  his 
ambassadors :  and  if  the  honor  of  an  ambassador  be  in 
proportion  to  tlie  power  and  glory  of  the  sovereign  that 
employs  him,  what  is  the  dignity  of  him  who  is  the  ambas- 
sador of  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords ;  and,  at 
the  same  time,  what  ought  to  be  the  sanctity  of  his  conduct, 
and  the  elevation  of  his  character  ?  If  nothing  unworthy 
of  the  monarch  who  sends  him,  and  the  nation  which  he 
represents,  should  be  done  by  him  who  is  dispatched  on 
an  embassy  to  a  foreign  court  and  people,  how  vigilant  and 
solicitous  to  do  nothing  unworthy  of  God  and  his  Christ, 
should  he  be  whose  business  it  is  to  negotiate  with  man 
the  weighty  affairs  of  judgment  and  of  mercy  from  Hea- 
ven. If  he  bears  the  dignity  of  office,  let  him  couple  with 
it  a  corresponding  dignity  of  character.  How  natural, 
liow  just,  how  necessary  the  reflection,  "  I  am  an  ambas- 
sador for  Christ :  what  manner  of  person  ought  I  to  be  in 
all  holy  conversation  and  godliness  ?  What  should  /  be 
who  represent,  so  far  as  my  office  is  concerned,  the  Ma- 
jesty of  heaven  and  earth  ?" 

The  ministry  of  the  gospel  is  shown  in  this  passage  to  be 
an  embassy  of  peace :  this  is  its  very  designation,  "  the 
MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION."     Nevcr  was  anything  more 


THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY.  29 

beautiful  expressed  or  conceived:  noihing  could  be  de- 
vised to  throw  over  the  ministry  a  charm  of  greater  loveli- 
ness. If  in  one  hand  the  preacher  of  the  gospel  carry  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit,  it  is  onl}^  to  slay  the  sin ;  wliile  he 
holds  forth  the  olive  bra  ch  in  the  other,  as  the  token  of 
peace  and  life  to  the  sinner.  He  enters  the  scene  of  strife 
and  discord  to  harmonize  the  jarring  elements,  and  goes  to 
the  field  of  conflict  to  reconcile  the  contending  parties.  It 
is  his  to  proclaim  the  treaty  of  man's  peace  with  God,  to 
explain  its  terms,  to  urge  its  acceptance,  and  to  bring  the 
sinner  into  friendship  with  his  offended  Lawgiver ;  to  carry 
peace  into  man's  troubled  bosom,  and  reconcile  him  to  his 
own  conscience ;  to  cast  out  the  enmities  and  prejudices  of 
his  selfish  and  depraved  heart,  and  to  unite  him  by  charity 
to  his  fellows ;  to  calm  down  the  violence  of  his  temper, 
and  give  him  peace  at  home ;  and  tlien  to  conduct  him  to 
the  realms  of  undisturbed  ti'anquillity  in  the  celestial 
world.  This  is  his  business.  Angels  hover  over  him  in 
his  course,  and  chant  over  his  labors  their  ancient  song, 
"  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth  peace  and 
good  will  to  men ;"  redeemed  men  and  women  saved  by 
his  instrumentality  from  the  wrath  of  God,  the  stings  of 
conscience,  and  the  turbulence  of  passion,  hail  him  in  the 
language  of  the  prophet,  "  How  beautiful  upon  the  moun- 
tains are  the  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings,  that 
pubhsheth  peace ;"  while  the  Saviour  himself  pronounceth 
upon  him  the  beatitude,  "  Blessed  ai-e  the  peace-makers  j 
for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God."  Honored 
and  happy  man,  where  thy  labors  are  faithful  and  success- 
ful :  minister  of  reconciliation,  friend  and  promoter  of 
peace,  the  world  knoweth  thee  not,  because  it  knew  not 
Christ ;  nor,  perhaps,  does  even  the  church  duly  appreci- 
ate or  adequately  reward  thy  services ;  but  even  now  thy 


30  THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY. 

work  is  its  own  reward :  peace  attends  upon  thy  steps,  and 
its  blessings  spring  up  in  thy  path. 

But  still  it  is  an  embassy  of  difficulty.  It  is  to  treat  with 
those  who  are  unwilling  to  be  saved,  and  to  persuade  the 
sinful,  proud,  and  stubborn  heart  \  of  men  to  capitulate  to 
holiness  and  grace.  The  minister  cames  the  oflfer  of  infi- 
nite and  ineffable  blessedness,  but  it  is  to  men  who  have  no 
taste  for  that  species  of  felicity.  His  were  an  easy  office 
did  he  find  men  everywhere  predisposed  to  close  in  vath 
the  proposals  of  infinite  benevolence ;  but  he  meets, 
wherever  he  goes,  with  hearts,  not  only  indifferent,  but 
hostile,  to  his  message.  The  parable  which  represents  the 
excuses  made  for  not  coming  to  the  marriage  feast,  is  still 
apphcable  to  the  children  of  men  in  reference  to  the  invita- 
tions of  the  gospel :  men  are,  as  they  ever  were,  too  busy, 
or  too  well  satisfied  with  their  enjoyments  and  possessions, 
to  care  about  salvation.  They  are  madly  set  upon  the 
objects  of  the  present  world  ;  they  are  asleep,  and  need  to 
be  roused ;  careless,  and  need  to  be  interested  ;  indolent, 
and  need  to  be  stimulated  ;  and  it  is  with  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty we  can  engage  their  attention  to  the  invisible  reafities 
of  eternity.  No  one  can  form  a  true  estimate  of  the  na- 
ture, design,  and  difficulties  of  the  ministerial  office,  who 
leaves  out  of  view  the  desperate  wickedness  of  the  human 
heart :  and  the  reason  why  there  is  so  little  of  that  hard 
labor,  and  intense  earnestness,  and  beseeching  entreaty  in 
the  ministers  of  the  gospel  is,  that  there  is  the  want  of 
that  deep  conviction  or  proper  consideration  of  the  resist- 
ance to  their  endeavors  which  is  perpetually  meeting  them 
from  the  sinner's  heart. 

This  brings  me  to  the  subject  of  my  present  discourse, 
and  that  is  the  necessity  of  an  earnest  ministry.  Nothing 
ess  than  earnestness  can  succeed  in  any  cases  of  great 


THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY.  SI 

difficulty ;  and  the  earnestness  must  of  course  be  in  pro- 
portion to  the  difficulty  to  be  surmounted.  Great  obsta- 
cles cannot  be  overcome  without  intense  application  of  the 
mind.  How  then  can  the  work  of  the  ministry  be  accom- 
plished ?  Every  view  we  can  take  of  it  replies,  "  Only  by 
earnestness."  Every  syllable  of  the  apostle's  language 
replies,  "  Only  by  earnestness."  Every  survey  we  can 
take  of  human  nature  replies,  "  Only  by  earnestness.'* 
Every  recollection  of  our  own  experience,  as  well  as  every 
observation  we  can  make  of  the  experience  of  others,  re- 
plies, ''Only  by  earnestness."  This,  this  is  what  we 
want,  and  must  have,  if  the  ends  of  the  gospel  are  ever  to 
be  extensively  accomplished — an  earnest  ministry. 

We  have  heard  much  of  late  about  a  learned  ministry, 
and  God  forbid  we  should  ever  be  afflicted  by  so  great  an 
evi]  as  an  unlearned  one.  We  have  been  often  reminded  of 
the  necessity  of  an  educated  ministry  ;  and  in  this  case,  as 
in  every  other,  men  must  be  educated  for  their  vocation ; 
but  then  that  education  must  be  strictly  appropriate  and 
specific.  We  are  very  properly  told  from  many  quarters, 
we  can  do  nothing  without  a  pious  ministry.  Nothing  can 
be  more  true,  nor  can  any  truth  bearing  upon  this  subject 
be  more  momentous ;  for  of  all  the  curses  which  God  ever 
pours  from  the  vials  of  his  wrath  upon  a  nation  whiclvhe 
hitends  to  scourge,  there  is  not  one  so  fearful  as  giving 
them  up  to  an  unholy  ministry.  I  trust  our  churches  will 
ever  consider  piety  as  the  first  and  most  essential  qualifica- 
tion in  their  pastors,  for  which  talents,  genius,  learning, 
and  eloquence,  would  and  could  be  no  substitutes.  It 
will  be  a  dark  and  evil  day  when  personal  godliness  shall  be 
placed  second  to  anything  else  in  those  who  serve  at  the 
altar  of  God.  But  still  there  ia  something  else  wanted  in 
addition  to  natural  talent,  to  academic  training,  and  even 


^ 


32  THE    APOSTOLIC    MINISTRY. 

to  the  most  fervent,  evangelical  piety,  and  that  is,  intense 
devotedness. 

It  appears  to  me  that  this  is  the  one  thing  more  than 
any,  or  all  other  things,  that  is  wanting  in  the  modern 
pulpit,  and  that  has  been  wanting  in  mo&t  ages  of  the 
Christian  church.  In  a  valuable  article  in  a  late  num- 
ber of  the  British  Quarterly  Review  occurs  the  following 
sentence :  "  No  ministry  will  be  really  effective,  whatever 
may  be  its  intelligence,  which  is  not  a  ministry  of  strong 
faith,  true  spirituality,  and  deep  earnestness."  I  wish  this 
golden  sentence  could  be  inscribed  in  characters  of  light, 
over  every  professor's  chair,  over  every  student's  desk, 
and  over  every  preacher's  pulpit.  Condensed  into  that 
one  short  paragraph  is  everything  that  needs  be  said  on 
this  subject.  I  feel  as  though  every  syllable  I  have  to 
write  were  superfluous,  if  all  our  pastors,  students,  and  tu- 
tors would  let  that  one  sentence  take  full  occupation  of 
their  hearts,  possess  their  whole  souls,  and  regulate  ali 
their  conduct. 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE    NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

Perhaps  there  is  scarcely  one  single  phrase  more  fre- 
quently employed  in  the  sphere  of  human  activity,  or 
better  understood,  than  this — Be  in  earnest.  What  dis- 
tinctness of  aim,  what  fixedness  of  purpose,  what  resolute- 
ness of  will,  what  diligence,  patience,  and  perseverance  of 
action,  are  imphed  or  expressed  in  these  three  words.  He 
who  would  stimulate  indolence,  quicken  activity,  and  inspire 
hope ;  he  who  would  breathe  his  own  soul  into  the  soul  of 
another,  and  kindle  the  enthusiasm  which  glows  in  his 
own  bosom,  says  to  his  fellow,  **  Be  in  earnest :"  and  that 
short  sentence,  uttered  by  his  lips,  has  often  been  like  a 
scintillation  flying  off  from  his  own  ardent  soul,  which, 
Hghting  upon  the  spirit  of  the  individual  whom  he  was 
anxious  to  move  to  some  great  enterprise,  has  kindlec? 
the  flames  of  enthusiasm  there  also.  And  what  else,  oi 
what  less,  does  Jesus  Christ  say  to  every  one  whom  he 
sends  into  the  woi-k  of  the  Christian  ministry  than  *'  Be  in 
earnest  ?" 

There  is  something  in  the  aspect  and  power  of  earnest- 
ness, whatever  be  its  object,  that  is  impressive  and  com- 
manding. To  see  a  man  selecting  some  one  object  of 
pursuit,  and  then  yielding  up  his  soul  to  the  desire  of  its 
attainment,  with  a  sun-ender  which  admits  of  no  reserve, 
2* 


34  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

a  steadiness  of  aim  wliich  allows  of  no  diversion,  and  a 
diligence  which  consents  neither  to  rest  nor  intermission ; 
which  is  so  uppermost  in  his  heart  as  to  fill  his  conversa- 
tion, and  so  entirely  and  constantly  before  his  mind  as  to 
throw  into  its  broad  shadow  every  other  subject  of  con- 
sideration ;  and  which  borrows  from  the  intensity  of  his 
own  feeling,  a  strange  fascination  to  engage  the  feehngs  of 
others — such  an  instance  of  decision,  amounting  to  a  ruling 
passion,  exerts  over  us,  while  witnessing  it,  an  influence 
which  we  feel  to  be  contagious.  We  involimtarily,  to  a 
certain  extent,  sympathize  with  the  indi\idual  who  is  thus 
carried  away  by  his  own  fervor ;  and  if  at  the  same  time 
all  this  be  an  earnestness  for  promoting  our  own  interests, 
its  effect  is  absolutely  irresistible.  That  man  must  be  a 
stone,  and  destitute  of  the  ordinary  feehngs  of  humanity, 
who  can  see  another  interested,  active,  and  zealous  for  his 
welfare,  while  he  himself  remains  inert  and  indifferent. 
Even  the  apathetic  and  indolent  have  sometimes  been 
kindled  into  ardor,  and  led  to  make  efforts  for  themselves, 
by  the  solicitude  which  others  have  manifested  for  their 
welfare. 

How  strictly  does  this  apply  to  the  ministry  of  the 
Word,  which  relates  to  the  most  momentous  matters  that 
can  engage  the  attention  of  the  human  understanding. 
Sympathy  is  a  law  of  our  mental  economy  which  has  never 
been  sufficiently  taken  into  the  account  in  estimating  the 
influences  which  God  employs  for  the  salvation  of  men. 
There  is  a  silent  and  almost  unperceived  process  of  thought 
often  going  on  in  the  mind  of  those  who  are  listening  to 
the  sermons  of  a  preacher  really  laboring  for  the  conver- 
sion of  souls,  of  this  kind  :  "Is  he  so  earnest  about  my 
salvation,  and  shall  I  care  nothing  about  the  matter  ?  Is 
my  eternal  happiness  so  much  in  his  account,  and  shall  it 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  36 

be  nothing  in  mine  ?  I  can  meet  cold  logic  with  counter- 
arguments, or  at  any  rate,  I  can  raise  up  difficulties  against 
evidence.  I  can  smile  at  the  artifices  of  rhetoric,  and  be 
pleased  with  the  displays  of  eloquence.  I  can  sit  unmoved 
under  sermons  which  seem  intended  by  the  preacher  to 
raise  my  estimate  of  himself,  but  I  cannot  stand  this  earn- 
estness about  me.  The  man  is  evidently  intent  upon  saving , 
my  soul.  I  feel  the  grasp  of  his  hand  laying  hold  of  my 
arm  as  if  he  would  pluck  me  out  of  the  fire.  He  has  not 
only  made  me  think,  but  he  has  made  me  feel.  His  earn- 
estness has  subdued  me." 

But  it  Avill  be  necessary  now  to  meet  and  answer  the 
question,  What  is  meant  by  an  earnest  ministry  ? 

I  remark,  in  the  first  place,  that  earnestness  implies, 
The  selection  of  some  one  object  of  pursuit,  and  a  vivid  2>er-  ^ 
ception  of  its  value  and  importance.  It  is  next  to  impossi- 
ble for  the  mind  to  be  intently  employed,  or  the  heart 
very  deeply  engaged,  on  a  multiplicity  of  objects  at  once. 
We  have  not  energy  enough  to  be  so  divided  and  distrib- 
uted. Our  feelings,  to  run  with  force,  must  flow  pretty 
much  in  one  channel :  the  attention  must  be  concentrated, 
the  purpose  settled,  the  action  expended,  upon  one  thing,  . 
or  there  can  be  no  efficiency.  The  earnest  man  is  a  man  *^ 
of  one  idea,  and  that  one  idea  occupies,  possesses,  mid  fills 
his  soul.  To  every  other  claimant  upon  his  time,  and  re- 
gard, and  labor,  he  says,  **  Stand  by ;  I  am  engaged,  I 
cannot  attend  to  you ;  there  is  something  else  waiting  for 
me."  To  that  one  thing  he  Is  committed.  There  may  be 
many  subordinate  matters,  amidst  which  he  divides  what 
may  be  called  the  surplus  water,  but  the  main  current 
flows  through  one  channel,  and  turns  one  great  wheel. 
This  "  one  thing  I  do,"  is  his  plan  and  resolution.  Many 
wonder  at  his  choice,  many  condemn  it :  no  matter,  ]i4 


86  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

understands  it,  approves  it,  and  pursues  it  amidst  the 
ignorance  which  cannot  comprehend  it,  or  the  pecuharity 
of  taste  which  cannot  admire  it.  He  is  no  double-minded 
man,  unstable  in  all  his  ways,  whose  preference  and  pur- 
pose are  shaken  by  every  cross-current  of  opinion.  It  is 
nothing  to  him  what  others  do,  or  what  they  say  of  his 
doing :  he  must  do  that,  wliatever  else  he  leaves  undone. 
No  one  can  be  in  earnest  who  has  not  thus  made  up  his 
mind,  and  he  who  has,  and  is  resolutely  bent  upon  it, 
keeps  the  object  constantly  before  his  mind ;  his  attention 
is  so  strongly  and  tenaciously  fixed  upon  it,  that  even  at 
the  greatest  distance,  "  as  the  Egyptian  pyramids  to  trav- 
ellers, it  appears  to  him  with  a  luminous  distinctness,  as  if 
it  were  nigh,  and  beguiles  the  toilsome  length  of  labor  and 
enterpiise  by  which  he  must  reach  it."  It  is  so  conspicu- 
ous before  him  that  he  does  not  deviate  a  step  from  the 
right  direction,  and  every  movement  and  every  day  is  an 
approximation.  Break  in  upon  him  at  any  moment,  you 
know  where  you  shall  find  him,  and  how  employed. 

There  is  the  first  part  of  the  description  of  an  earnest 
minister :  he  too  has  selected  his  object,  and  made  up  his 
mind  concerning  it,  and  insulating  it  from  all  others,  sets 
it  clearly  and  distinctly  before  his  mind.  And  what  is  it  ? 
^  What  should  it  be  ?  Not  science,  nor  literature,  nor  phi- 
losophy ;  not  a  life  spent  in  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
nor  the  gratification  of  taste ;  not  the  power  of  adding  to 
the  treasures  of  national  elegance  in  the  department  of 
letters,  nor  to  the  ornaments  which  embellish  our  civilized 
existence,  and  give  amenity  to  our  social  intercourse.  The 
man  who  has  entered  the  sacred  office  merely  to  luxuriate 
in  the  haunts  of  the  muses,  has  mistaken  his  errand  to  the 
pulpit,  and  is  no  less  guilty,  though  somewhat  less  sordid, 
than  he  that  says,  **  Pu^.  me  in  the  priest's  office  thnt  I 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  37 

may  eat  a  morsel  of  bread."  That  a  minister  may  to  a 
certain  extent  indulge  a  literary  or  scientific  taste,  and 
could  even  make  it  subservient  to  a  higher  and  more 
sacred  object,  is  admitted.  The  pulpit  has  done,  and  is 
doing,  much  service  in  all  the  departments  of  learning  and 
philosophy.  It  is  in  Christian  countries  that  the  valuable 
remains  of  Eastern,  Greek,  and  Roman  wisdom  and  elo- 
quence have  been  preserved,  studied,  imitated,  and  some- 
times even  excelled.  Christian  nations  have  conducted 
philosophical  inquiries  with  the  best  success,  and  improved 
them  for  the  most  useful  and  benevolent  purposes.  "  If 
these  things  are  good  and  profitable  unto  society,  a  large 
portion  of  the  honor  of  such  usefulness  belongs  to  men  set 
for  the  defence  of  the  gospel,  desirous  by  sound  reasoning 
to  convince  gainsay ers,  and  conscious  what  arms  human 
literature  furnishes  for  this  holy  war.  And  then  in  addi- 
tion to  all  this,  consider  the  effect  of  the  pulpit  upon  what 
might  be  called  the  popular  mind.  To  thousands  who 
have  comparatively  little  leisure  or  opportunity  to  form 
their  taste,  and  cultivate  their  rational  powers,  by  conver- 
sation with  the  wise  and  enlightened,  or  by  reading  their 
works,  a  school  is  thus  open,  established  indeed  for  higher 
purposes,  where  men  of  sound  understandings,  though  low 
in  rank,  may,  without  expense,  and  almost  without  intend- 
ing it,  learn  from  example  to  distinguish  or  connect  ideas, 
to  infer  one  truth  from  another,  to  examine  the  force  of  an 
argument,  and  so  to  arrange  and  express  their  sentiments 
as  deeply  to  impress  themselves  and  others.  As  in  a  few 
years  the  child  gradually  acquires  the  faculty  of  speaking 
his  mother-tongue  with  a  considerable  degree  of  ease  and 
fluency,  without  any  formal  lessons,  merely  by  hearing  it 
spoken,  so  there  is  a  natural  logic  and  rhetoric  which  some 
acquire  without  designing  it,  who  go  to  church  for  nobler 


38  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

ends,  whereby  tbey  are  enabled  to  detect  the  cunning  craft- 
iness with  which  the  enemies  of  religion  or  of  public  tran- 
quillity lie  in  wait  to  deceive.  Indeed,  the  culture  of  the 
talents  and  improvements  of  that  respectable  class  of  men 
who  earn  their  bread  by  the  sweat  of  their  brow,  generally 
rises  or  frills  in  proportion  to  the  character  and  genius  of 
their  religious  instructors." 

This  is  as  true  as  it  is  beautiful,  and  should  remind  all 
ministers  of  the  gospel  of  the  necessity  and  importance,  at 
all  times,  but  especially  in  such  times  as  these,  of  keeping 
in  mind  the  collateral  and  secondary  objects  of  pulpit 
instruction,  and  of  preparing  themselves  for  conducting  it 
with  power  and  efficiency.  There  is  not  a  temporal  inter- 
est of  man  as  an  individual,  or  of  society,  on  which  the 
sermons  and  general  influence  of  the  ministry  may  not  be 
made  to  bear ;  but  then  it  must  never  be  forgotten  that 
these  things  which  have  just  been  enumerated,  are  at  best 
only  the  incidental,  secondary,  and  collateral  benefits  of  the 
ministry  of  the  Word :  they  are  among  the  many  things 
that  may  be  touched,  but  are  not  the  one  thing  that  must 
be  grasped  :  they  are,  as  I  have  already  said,  like  the  little 
lateral  rills  which  may  be  led  off  from  the  main  stream  for 
the  purpose  of  irrigation,  but  are  not  the  great  body  of 
water  that  rolls  onward  in  its  channel  for  the  purpose  of 
commerce  and  national  wealth. 

Nor  is  it  the  great  object  of  our  ministry  merely  to  pre- 
side with  dignity  over  the  solemnities  of  public  worship  ; 
to  content  ourselves  and  please  our  people  with  preparing 
and  dehvering  two  well-studied  discourses  on  the  Sabbath ; 
to  keep  all  quiet  and  orderly  in  the  church  ;  to  maintain  a 
kind  of  religious  respectability  and  intellectuality  in  the 
congregation ;  and  to  infuse  into  them  much  of  the  element 
of  poUtical  power.     The  end  and  aim  of  the  rainistiy  are 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  39 

[o  he  gathered  from  the  apostle's  solemn  and  comprehen- 
sive language,  "they  watch  for  your  souls  as  they  that 
MUST  GIVE  account."  There,  in  that  short,  but  sublime 
and  awful  sentence,  tlie  end  of  the  pastoral  office  is  set 
before  us.  The  design  of  the  pulpit  is  in  harmony  with 
that  of  the  cross ;  and  the  preacher  is  to  carry  out  the 
design  of  the  Saviour  in  coming  to  seek  and  to  save  that 
which  was  lost.  Preaching  and  teaching  are  the  very 
agency  which  Jesus  Chiist  employs  to  save  those  souls  for 
which  he  died  upon  Calvary.  If  souls  are  not  saved,  what- 
ever other  designs  are  accomplished,  the  great  purpose  of 
the  ministry  is  defeated. 

We  are  now  prepared  to  understand  what  is  the  natiu-e 
of  real  earnestness  in  a  minister.  I  mean  a  distinct,  explicit, 
practical  recognition  of  his  duty  to  labor  for  the  salvation 
of  souls  as  the  end  of  his  office.  Such  a  man  has  settled 
with  himself  that  this  is  his  vocation  and  his  business.  He 
has  looked  at  everything  which  could  be  presented  to  his 
mind,  has  weighed  the  claims  of  all,  and  with  intelligence 
and  firamess  has  said,  and  is  prepared  to  stand  by  his 
affirmation,  "I  watch  for  souls."  He  thus  understands 
his  errand  ;  he  is  under  no  mistake,  no  uncertainty,  no 
confusion.  He  has  entered  into  fellowship  with  God  the 
Father  in  his  eternal  purpose  of  the  salvation  of  the  human 
race  ;  with  the  Son  in  the  end  of  his  incarnation  and  death ; 
and  with  the  Holy  Spirit  in  his  coming  down  upon  our 
desolate  world.  Of  this  salvation,  which  is  the  object  of 
his  ministry,  the  prophets  inquired  ;  to  accomphsh  it 
apostles  preached,  and  angels  ministered ;  and  thus  justi- 
fied in  his  choice  by  the  Triune  God  and  the  noblest  of  his 
creatures  in  the  universe,  he  leaves  far  below  him,  in  the 
aspirations  and  the  soarings  of  his  ambition,  the  scholar, 
the  philosopher  and  the  poet.     He  has  taken  up  an  object 


I/' 


40  NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS. 

in  reference  to  which,  if  he  succeed  but  in  a  single  instance, 
he  will  have  achieved  a  triumph  which  will  endure  infinite 
ages  after  the  proudest  monuments  of  human  genius  have 
perished  like  a  garland  in  the  conflagration  of  the 
world. 

I  have  spoken  of  the  salvation  of  souls  as  the  great 
object  of  the  ministerial  office ;  this  is  a  generic  phrase, 
including  as  its  species  the  awakening  of  the  unconcerned ; 
the  guidance  of  the  inquiring  ;  the  instruction  of  the  unin- 
formed ;  and  the  sanctification,  comfort,  and  progress  of 
those  who  through  grace  have  believed — in  short,  the  whole 
work  of  grace  in  tlie  soul.  But  I  now  direct  the  attention 
of  my  readers  to  the  tii'st  of  these  particulars  as  the  most 
commanding  object  of  ministerial  solicitude,  I  mean  the 
conversion  of  the  unregenerate  ;  and  if  without  an  offence 
of  tjie  law  of  modesty  I  may  refer  to  my  own  history, 
labor,  and  success,  I  would  observe  that  I  began  my  min- 
istry, even  as  a  student,  with  a  strong  desire  after  this 
object ;  and  long  before  this,  while  yet  a  youth  engaged  in 
secular  concerns,  I  had  been  deeply  susceptible  of  the 
power  of  an  awakening  style  of  preaching,  which  was 
strengthened  by  the  perusal  of  the  rousing  sermons  of  Dr. 
Davies,*  of  New  Jersey.  From  that  time  to  the  present 
I  have  •  made  the  conversion  of  the  impenitent  the  great 
end  of  my  ministry,  and  I  have  had  my  reward.  I  have 
been  sustained  in  this  course  by  the  remarks  of  Baxter  in 

♦  I  wish  these  discourses  were  better  known  and  more  imitated  by 
our  young  ministers.  Tliey  are  admirable  specimens,  formed  upon  the 
model  of  Baxter,  of  persuasive,  hortatory  and  impressive  preaching. 
It  is  such  preaching  we  want.  In  these  striking  discourses  may  be 
seen  what  I  mean  by  earned  preaching.  They  are  by  no  means  scarce, 
and  I  would  advise  my  younger  brethren  to  buy  and  read  them. 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  41 

his  "  Reformed  Pastor,"  a  long  extract  from  which  I  will 
now  furniish. 

"  We  must  labor  in  a  special  manner  for  the  conversion 
of  the  unconverted. 

"The  work  of  conversion  is  the  great  thing  we  must 
drive  at ;  after  this  we  must  labor  with  all  our  might. 
Alas  !  the  misery  of  the  unconverted  is  so  great  that  it 
calleth  loudest  to  us  for  compassion.  If  a  truly  converted 
sinner  do  fall,  it  will  be  but  into  sin  which  will  be  pardoned, 
and  he  is  not  in  that  hazard  of  damnation  by  it  as  others 
are.  Not  but  that  God  hateth  their  sins  as  well  as  others, 
or  that  he  will  bring  them  to  heaven,  let  them  live  ever  so 
wickedly ;  but  the  spirit  that  is  within  them  will  not  suffer 
them  to  live  wickedly,  nor  to  sin  as  the  ungodly  do.  But 
with  the  unconverted  it  is  far  otherwise.  They  'are  in  the 
gall  of  bitterness,  and  in  the  bond  of  iniquity,'  and  have 
yet  no  part  nor  fellowship  in  the  pardon  of  their  sins,  or 
the  hope  of  glory.  We  have  therefore  a  work  of  greater 
necessity  to  do  for  them,  even  '  to  open  their  eyes,  and  to 
turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan  unto  God  ;  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins, 
and  an  inheritance  among  them  which  are  sanctified.'  He 
that  seeth  one  man  sick  of  a  mortal  disease,  and  another 
only  pained  with  the  tooth-ache,  will  be  moved  more  to 
compassionate  the  former  than  the  latter ;  and  will  surely 
make  more  haste  to  help  him,  though  he  Avere  a  stranger 
and  the  other  a  brother  or  a  son.  It  is  so  sad  a  case  to 
see  men  in  a  state  of  damnation,  wherein,  if  they  should 
die,  they  are  lost  forever,  that  methinks  we  should  not  be 
able  to  let  them  alone,  either  in  public  or  private,  whatever 
other  work  we  have  to  do.  I  confess  I  am  frequently 
forced  to  neglect  that  which  should  tend  to  the  further 
increase  of  knowledge  in  the  godly,  because  of  the  lament- 


42  NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS. 

able  necessity  of  the  unconverted.  Who  is  able  to  talk  of 
controversies  or  of  nice,  unnecessary  points,  or  even  of 
truths  of  a  lower  degree  of  necessity,  how  excellent  soever, 
while  he  seetli  a  company  of  ignorant,  carnal,  miserable 
sinners  before  his  eyes,  who  must  be  clianged  or  damned  ? 
Metliinks  I  even  see  them  entering  upon  their  final  woe ! 
Methinks  I  liear  them  crying  out  for  help — for  speediest 
help  !  Their  misery  spoaks  the  louder,  because  they  have 
not  hearts  to  ask  for  help  tlieraselves.  INIany  a  time  have 
I  known  that  I  had  some  hearers  of  higher  fancies,  that 
looked  for  rarities,  and  were  addicted  to  despise  the  minis- 
try, if  I  told  them  not  something  more  than  ordinary  ;  and 
yet  I  could  not  find  in  my  heart  to  turn  from  the  necessi- 
ties of  the  impenitent,  for  the  humoring  of  them ;  nor 
even  to  leave  speaking  to  miserable  sinners  for  their  salva- 
tion, in  order  to  speak  so  much  as  should  otherwise  be 
done  to  weak  saints,  for  their  confirmation  and  increase  in 
grace.  Methinks  as  Paul's  *  spirit  was  stirred  within  him,* 
when  he  saw  'the  Athenians  wholly  given  to  idolatr)^'  so 
it  should  cast  us  into  one  of  his  paroxysms,  to  see  so  many 
men  in  the  greatest  danger  of  being  everlastingly  undone. 
Methinks,  if  by  faith  we  did  indeed  look  upon  them  as 
within  a  step  of  hell,  it  would  more  effectually  untie  bur 
tongues,  than  Croesus'  danger  did  his  son's.  He  that  will 
let  a  sinner  go  down  to  hell  for  want  of  speaking  to  him, 
doth  set  less  by  souls  than  did  the  Redeemer  of  souls ; 
and  less  by  his  neighbor  than  common  charity  will  allow 
him  to  by  his  greatest  enemy.  0  therefore,  brethren, 
whomsoever  you  neglect,  neglect  not  the  most  mis.'^rable ! 
Whatever  you  pass  over,  forget  not  poor  souls  that  are 
under  the  condemnation  and  curse  of  the  law,  and  who 
may  look  every  hour  for  the  infernal  execution,  if  a  speedy 
change  do  not  prevent  it.     0  call  after  the  impenitent,  and 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  43 

ply  this  great  work  of  converting  souls,  whatever  else  you 
leave  undone." 

"  These  powerful  and  impressive  observations,"  says  the 
editor  of  Baxter,  **  we  cannot  too  earnestly  recommend  to 
the  attention  of  ministers.  We  have  no  hesitation  in  say- 
ing that  the  most  of  preachers  whom  we  have  known,  were 
essentially  defective  in  the  grand  and  primary  object  of  w/ 
the  Christian  ministry, — laboring  for  the  conversion  of 
souls.  From  the  general  strain  of  some  men's  preaching, 
one  would  almost  be  ready  to  conclude  that  there  were  no 
sinners  in  their  congregations  to  be  converted.  In  deter- 
mining the  proportion  of  attention  which  a  minister  should 
pay  to  particular  cla^sses  of  his  congregation,  the  number 
of  each  class,  and  the  necessities  of  their  case,  are  unques- 
tionably the  principal  considerations  which  should  weigh 
with  him.  Now  in  all  our  congregations  we  have  reason 
to  fear  the  unconverted  constitute  by  far  the  majority  ; — 
their  situation  is  pecuharly  pitiable ;  their  opportunities  of 
salvation  will  soon  be  forever  over;  their  danger  is  not 
only  very  great,  but  very  imminent ;  they  are  not  secure 
from  everlasting  misery,  even  for  a  single  moment.  Surely 
then  the  unconverted  demand  by  far  the  largest  share  of 
the  Christian  minister's  attention,  and  yet  from  many  they 
receive  but  a  very  small  share  of  attention — their  case, 
when  noticed  at  all,  is  noticed  only,  as  it  were,  by  the  bye. 
This  no  doubt  is  a  principal  cause  that  among  us  there  are 
so  few  conversions  by  the  preaching  of  the  word,  and 
especially  in  the  congregations  of  particular  ministers. 
We  feel  this  subject  to  be  of  such  transcendent  importance 
that  we  trust  we  shall  be  excused  for  here  introducing  a 
quotation  connected  with  it,  from  another  work  of  our 
author,  which  has  been  introduced  into  the  series  of  '  Select 
Christian  Authors.' " 


44  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

*'  It  is  not,"  says  he,  in  his  *'  Mischiefs  of  Self- Igno- 
rance," "  a  general  dull  discourse,  or  critical  observations 
upon  words,  or  the  subtile  decision  of  some  nice  and  curious 
questions  of  the  schools  ;  nor  is  it  a  neat  and  well-composed 
speech,  about  some  other  distant  matters,  that  is  likely  to 
ac(]uaint  a  sinner  witli  himself.  How  many  sermons  may 
we  hear  that  are  ^^^velled  at  some  mark  or  other  which  is 
very  far  from  the  hearers'  hearts,  and  therefore  are  never 
likely  to  convince  them,  or  open  and  convert  them  ?  And 
if  our  congregations  were  in  such  a  case  as  that  they 
needed  no  closer  quickening  work,  such  preaching  might 
be  borne  with  and  commended.  But  when  so  many  usually 
sit  before  us  that  must  shortly  die,  and  yet  are  unprepared 
for  death  ;  and  that  are  condemned  by  the  law  of  God, 
and  must  be  pardoned,  or  finally  condemned  ;  that  must 
be  saved  from  their  sins  that  they  may  be  saved  from  ever* 
lasting  misery— I  think  it  is  time  for  us  to  talk  to  them  of 
such  things  as  most  concern  them,  and  that  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  may  most  effectually  convince,  awaken,  and  change 
them. 

"  A  man  that  is  ready  to  be  drowned  is  not  at  leisure  for 
a  song  or  a  dance ;  and  a  man  that  is  ready  to  be  hanged, 
methinks  should  not  find  himself  at  leisure  to  hear  a  man 
show  his  wit  and  reading  only,  if  not  his  folly  and  malice, 
against  a  life  of  holiness.  Nor  should  you  think  that  suit- 
able to  such  men's  case  that  doth  not  evidently  tend  to 
save  them.  But,  alas !  how  often  have  we  heard  such 
sermons  as  tend  more  to  diversion  than  direction  ;  to  fill 
their  minds  with  other  matters,  and  find  them  something 
else  to  think  of,  lest  they  should  study  themselves,  and 
know  their  misery  !  A  preacher  that  seems  to  speak  re- 
ligiously, by  a  dry,  sapless  discourse,  that  is  called  a  ser- 
mon, may  more  plausibly  and  easily  ruin  him.     And  his 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  45 

conscience  will  more  quietly  suffer  him  to  be  taken  oflf 
the  necessary  care  of  his  salvation,  by  something  that  is 
like  it,  and  pretends  to  do  the  work  as  well,  than  by  the 
grosser  avocations  or  the  scorn  of  fools.  And  he  will  be 
more  tamely  turned  from  religion  by  something  that  is 
called  religion,  and  which  he  hopes  may  serve  the  turn, 
than  by  open  wickedness,  or  impious  defiance  of  God  and 
reason.  But  how  often  do  we  hear  sermons  applauded, 
which  force  us,  in  compassion  to  men's  souls,  to  think, 
*  Oh  what  is  all  this  to  the  opening  of  a  sinner's  heart  unto 
himself,  and  showing  him  his  unregenerate  state  '^  What 
is  this  to  the  conviction  of  a  self-deluding  soul,  that  is 
passing  into  hell,  with  the  confident  expectation  of  heav- 
en ?  What  is  this  to  show  men  their  undone  condition, 
and  the  absolute  necessity  of  Christ,  and  of  renewing 
grace  ?  What  is  in  this  to  lead  men  up  from  earth  to  heav- 
en, and  to  acquaint  them  with  the  unseen  world,  and  to 
help  them  to  the  life  of  faith  and  love,  and  to  the  mortify- 
ing and  pardon  of  their  sins !'  How  httle  skill  have  many 
miserable  preachers  in  the  searching  of  the  heart,  and 
helping  men  to  know  themselves,  whether  Christ  be  in 
them,  or  whether  they  be  reprobates !  And  how  little 
care  and  diligence  is  used  by  them,  to  call  men  to  the 
trial,  and  help  them  in  the  examining  and  judging  of  them- 
selves, as  if  it  were  a  work  of  no  necessity.  *  They  have 
healed  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  slightly,  say- 
ing, Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace,'  saith  the 
Lord.'^ 

Oh  what  preachers  we  should  be,  could  we  drink  in  the 
spirit  of  these  powerful  passages!  May  God  impress 
them  on  our  hearts,  and  lead  us  to  mould  our  discourses 
after  this  fashion.  I  would,  however,  by  no  means  wish 
to  be  thought  unmindful  of  the  importance  of  building  up 


46  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

the  believer  on  his  holy  faith.  Not  only  must  the  children 
of  the  redeemed  family  be  born,  but  they  must  also  be 
fed,  watched,  guided,  and  nourished  up  to  manhood.  The 
growth  in  grace  and  in  knowledge  of  the  heirs  of  immor- 
tality must  be  an  object  of  deep  sohcitude  with  the  faithfu] 
pastor.  His  children  in  the  faith  art  not  glorified,  as  soon 
as  converted,  but  are  carried  through  a  probation,  and  often 
a  long  one,  of  conflict,  trial,  and  temptation;  and  it  is 
his  business,  by  the  instrumentality  of  the  truth,  deeply 
searched,  carefully  expounded,  and  appropriately  applied, 
to  conduct  them  through  the  perplexities  and  the  dangers 
of  the  divine  life.  Hence,  therefore,  it  is  thp  duty  of  the 
minister,  not  to  be  always  dwelUng  on  first  principles,  nor 
teaching  the  mere  alphabet  of  Bible  knowl*^dge,  but  to 
lead  his  people  "  on  unto  perfection ;"  yet  still,  amidst  all 
this,  he  is  never  to  forget  that  by  far  the  greater  number 
of  those  who  are  before  him  do  not  experimentally  know 
these  first  principles,  and  have  not  learnt  even  this  alpha- 
bet of  practical  piety.  I  once  had  a  member  of  my  church, 
who  had  been  brought  out  of  the  Hterary  world  to  a  deep, 
experimental  knowledge  of  divine  truth.  She  was  a  woman 
of  uncommonly  fine  and  tasteful  mind.  After  her  conver- 
sion she  dwelt  for  a  season  in  London ;  and  on  her  return 
from  the  metropohs,  in  g'ving  an  account  of  the  various 
preachers  she  had  heard,  expressed  her  surprise  and  re- 
gret that  their  sermons,  however  excellent,  seemed  to  be 
addressed,  almost  exclusively,  to  true  believers,  as  if  they 
took  it  for  granted  that  their  congregations  were  composed 
wholly  of  such,  and  contained  none  who  were  dead  in  tres- 
passes and  sins.  And  i  know  a  devoted  and  consistent 
Christian,  who,  upon  leaving  a  minister  whom  he  had 
heard  for  several  years,  declared  he  had  scarcely  ever 
heard  one  thoroughly  practical  sermon  from  him  during  the 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  4t1 

whole  time :  there  had  been  much  doctrinal  statement, 
much  theological  science,  much  rehgious  comfort ;  but  no 
vivid  and  pungent  appeals  either  to  saints  or  sinners.  No 
wonder  he  knew  of  no  conversions  there:  and  yet  this 
preacher  is  not  an  Antinomian. 

Secondly.  Earnestness  implies  that  the  subject  has  not 
rnily  been  selected,  but  that  it  has  taken  full  possession  of  the 
mind,  and  has  kindled  toivards  it  an  intense  desire  of  the 
lieart. 

It  is  something  more  than  the  correctness  of  theory,  and 
the  deductions  of  logic ;  more  than  the  cool  calculation  of 
the  judgment,  and  the  play  of  the  imagination — earnest- 
ness means  that  the  understanding,  having  selected  and 
appreciated  its  object,  has  pressed  all  the  faculties  of  both 
mind  and  body  into  its  pursuit.  It  urges  the  soul  onward 
in  its  career  of  act-ion  at  such  a  speed,  that  it  is  set  on  fire 
by  the  velocity  of  its  own  motion.  The  object  of  an  earn- 
est man  is  never,  for  any  long  period  of  time,  absent  from 
his  thoughts.  He  meditates  on  it  by  day,  and  dreams  of 
it  by  night :  it  meets  him  in  his  solitary  walks  as  some 
bright  vision  which  he  loves  to  contemplate,  and  it  comes 
over  him  in  company  with  such  power,  that  he  cannot 
avoid  making  it  the  topic  of  his  conversation,  till  he  ap- 
pears in  the  eyes  of  those  who  have  no  sympathy  with  him 
in  the  light  of  an  enthusiast. 

y  Foster,  in  his  "  Essay  on  Decision  of  Character,"  has 
alluded  to  Howard  as  supplying  a  fine  illustration  of  this 
mental  quality.  I  furnish  one  extract  bearing  more  di- 
rectly than  perhaps  any  other  on  our  present  theme.  It 
relates  to  the  singular  fact  that  this  great  philanthropist 
turned  not  a  moment  from  his  course,  when  traversing 
those  scenes  most  calculated  to  awaken  curiosity,  and  to 
enkindle  enthusiasm  b}   the  associations  of  ancient  glory 


48  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

with  wliicli  they  are  connected — even  Rome  itself.  "  The 
importance  of  his  object  held  his  faculties  in  a  state  of  ex- 
citement which  was  too  rigid  to  be  affected  by  lighter 
interests,  and  on  which,  therefore,  the  beauties  of  nature 
and  art  had  no  power :  hke  the  invisible  spirits  who  fulfil 
their  commission  of  philanthropy  among  mortals,  and  care 
not  about  pictures,  statues,  and  sumptuous  buildings.  It 
implied  an  inconceivable  severity  of  conviction  that  he  had 
one  thing  to  do ;  and  that  he  who  would  do  some  great 
thing  in  this  short  life  must  apply  himself  to  the  work  with 
such  a  concentration  of  his  forces  as,  to  idle  spectators, 
who  live  only  to  amuse  themselves,  looks  like  insanity.  It 
was  thus  he  made  the  trial,  so  seldom  made,  what  is  the 
utmost  effect  which  may  be  granted  to  the  last  possible 
effort  of  a  human  agent ;  and  therefore  what  he  did  not 
accomplish,  he  might  conclude  to  be  placed  beyond  the 
sphere  of  mortal  activity,  and  calmly  leave  to  the  disposal 
of  Omnipotence." 

There,  again,  is  the  representation  of  the  really  and 
intensely  earnest  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  he  regards  the  object  of  his  ministry,  the  sal- 
vation of  immortal  souls.  He  has  drunk  in  the  inspiration 
of  those  inexpressibly  sublime  and  solemn  words,  so  of- 
ten already  quoted,  "  They  watch  for  your  souls  as  they 
that  must  give  account,  that  they  may  do  it  with  joy  and 
not  with  grief."  This  declaration  has  come  over  him  hke 
a  spell,  from  the  fascination  of  which  he  neither  tries  nor 
wishes  to  escape.  Whether  seated  in  his  chair  in  his  study ; 
or  carrying  on  the  exercises  of  devotion  in  the  closet ;  or 
preaching  the  gospel  in  the  pulpit ;  or  enjoying  the  pleas- 
ures of  Christian  friendship  in  the  social  circle ;  or  recreat- 
ing his  energies  amidst  the  beauties  of  creation ;  the  words 
of  Solomon  stand  out  conspicuously  before  his  mind's  eye. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  49 

"  He  that  winneth  souls  is  wise ;"  while,  ever  and  anon, 
the  thunder  of  Christ's  awful  inquiry  comes  pealing  over 
his  ear,  "  What  shall  it  profit  a  man  if  he  gain  the  Avhole 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul,  or  what  shall  a  man  give  in 
exchange  for  his  soul  ?"  To  be  useful  in  converting  souls 
is  his  constant  and  practical  aim  :  with  a  vicAV  to  which, 
his  texts  are  chosen,  his  sermons  are  composed  and  deliv- 
ered, and  his  language,  figures,  and  illustrations  are  select- 
ed. That  word  usefulness  has  the  same  meaning  in  his 
ear,  the  same  power  over  his  soul,  as  the  word  "  victory" 
has  over  the  mind  of  the  hero :  and  the  preparation  and 
delivery  of  the  most  eloquent  sermons,  with  all  the  plaudits 
that  follow  them,  will  no  more  satisfy  his  ambition,  than 
the  skilful  evolutions,  the  military  splendor,  and  the  mar- 
tial music  of  a  field  day,  however  they  may  be  admired  by 
the  multitudinous  spectators,  will  content  the  desires  ot 
the  patriot  warrior  who  burns  to  defeat  his  country's  foe 
upon  the  field  of  battle,  and  to  rescue  the  liberties  of  his 
enslaved  nation  from  the  grasp  of  a  tyrant.  By  the  ear- 
nest minister,  the  salvation  of  souls  is  sought  with  the  obli- 
gation of  a  principle,  and  the  ardor  of  a  passion.  It  is 
impressed  upon  his  whole  character,  and  is  inseparable 
from  his  conduct.  It  distinguishes  him  among,  and  from, 
many  of  his  brethren.  When  the  congregations,  either  at 
home  or  abroad,  go  to  hear  him,  they  know  what  to  ex- 
pect, and  consequently  do  not  look  for  the  flowers  of 
rhetoric,  but  for  the  fruit  of  the  tree  of  life  ;  not  for  a  dry 
crust  of  philosophy,  not  for  a  meatless,  marrowless  bone 
of  criticism,  but  for  the  bread  which  cometh  down  from 
heaven  ;  not  for  a  display  of  religious  fire- works,  splendid 
but  useless,  but  for  the  holding  up  of  the  torch  of  eternal 
truth  in  all  its  clear  shining  light  to  guide  the  wandering 
and  benighted  souls  to  the  refuge  of  the  lost.     He  has,  by 


50  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS 

the  usual  style  of  his  pulpit  discourses,  ./  i  Ju  *■  x  '-is 
character  as  a  useful  preacher,  and  those  ^ho  go  to  hear 
him,  would  as  soon  expect  to  listen  to  a  mere  poetical  or 
classical  effusion,  instead  of  directions  for  health,  from  a 
physician  whom  they  consulted  in  a  time  of  sickness,  as 
such  matters  from  this  servant  of  Christ,  instead  of  a  ser- 
y  mon  calculated  and  designed  to  do  good  to  their  souls. 
He  could  possibly  be  eloquent,  profound,  or  learned,  and 
when  these  things  can  aid  him  in  securing  his  one  great 
end,  he  does  not  scruple  to  employ  them.  His  aim  is  at 
the  heart  and  conscience,  and  if  the  poetic,  the  literary, 
the  logical,  the  scientific,  will  at  any  time  so  polish  and 
plume  the  shaft,  or  sharpen  the  point  of  the  arrow,  he  will 
not  reject  them,  but  will  avail  himself  of  their  legitimate 
uses,  that  he  may  the  more  certainly  hit  the  mark.  This 
is  his  motto,  "  If  by  any  means  I  might  save  some." 

But  this  touches  a  third  thing  implied  in  genuine  ear- 
nestness, and  that  is  tJie  studious  invention  and  diligent  use 
of  all  appropriate  means  to  accomplish  the  selected  object. 
An  earnest  man  is  the  last  to  be  satisfied  with  mere  for- 
mality, routine,  and  prescription.  He  will  often  survey  his 
object,  his  means,  and  his  instruments ;  will  look  back  upon 
the  past  to  review  his  course,  to  e.xamine  his  failure,  and 
success,  with  the  causes  of  each  ;  to  learn  what  to  do,  and 
what  to  avoid  for  the  future.  His  inquiry  will  often  be, 
What  next?  What  more?  What  better?  And  as  the 
result  of  all  this,  new  experiments  will  be  tried,  new  plans 
will  be  laid,  and  new  courses  will  be  pui'sued.  With  an 
inextinguishable  ardor,  and  with  a  resolute  fixedness  of 
purpose,  he  exclaims  "  I  must  succeed — Hoio  V 

And  shall  we  ministers  possess  nothing  of  this,  if  we 
are  in  earnest  for  the  siilvation  of  souls  ?  Shall  dull  uni- 
formity, stiff  formahtj;  everlasting  repetitions,  and  rigid 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  -61 

routine  satisfy  us  ?  Sliall  we  never  institute  the  inquiry, 
"  Why  have  I  not  succeeded  better  in  my  ministry  ?  How 
is  it  that  my  congregation  is  not  larger,  and  my  church 
more  rapidly  increasing  ?  In  what  way  can  I  account  for 
it,  that  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  which  I  believe  I  preach, 
is  not  more  influential,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  cross  is  not 
as  it  was  intended  to  be,  the  power  of  God  unto  the  sal- 
vation of  souls  ?  Why  do  I  not  more  frequently  hear 
addressed  to  me,  by  tht)se  who  are  constantly  under  my 
ministry,  the  anxious  inquiry, '  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?* 
I  am  not  wanting,  as  far  as  I  know,  in  the  regular  discharge 
of  my  ordinary  duties,  and  yet  I  gather  little  fruit  of  my 
labors,  and  have  to  utter  continually  the  prophet's  com- 
plaint, *  Who  hath  believed  our  report,  and  to  whom  is  the 
arm  of  the  Lord  revealed  ?'  "  Do  we  indeed  indulge  in 
such  complaints  ?  Have  we  earnestness  enough  to  pour 
forth  such  lamentations  ?  Or  is  it  of  little  consequence  to 
us,  provided  we  get  our  stipend,  keep  up  the  congregation 
to  its  usual  size,  and  maintain  the  tranquillity  of  the  church, 
whether  the  ends  of  the  ministry  are  accomplished  or  not  ? 
Are  we  ever  seen  by  God's  omniscient  eye  pacing  our  study 
in  deep  though tfulness,  solemn  meditation,  and  rigorous 
inquisition ;  and  after  an  impartial  survey  of  our  doings, 
and  a  sorrowful  lamentation  that  we  are  doing  no  more, 
questioning  ourselves  thus — "  Is  there  no  new  method  to 
be  tried,  no  new  scheme  to  be  devised,  to  increase  the 
efficiency  of  my  ministerial  and  pastoral  labors  ?  Is  there 
nothing  I  can  supply,  correct,  or  add  ?  Is  there  anything 
particularly  wanting  in  the  matter,  manner,  or  method  of 
my  preaching,  or  in  my  course  of  pastoral  attentions  ?" 
Surely  it  might  be  supposed  that  such  inquiries  would  be 
often  instituted  into  the  results  of  such  a  ministry  as  ours, 


52  NATURE    OP    EARNESTNESS. 

that  seasons  would  be  not  unfrequently  set  apart,  espe- 
cially at  the  close  of  the  year,  for  such  a  purpose. 

Here  it  may  be  proper  for  us  to  look  out  of  our  own 
profession,  and  ask  if  the  eaniest  tradesman,  soldier,  law- 
yer, philosopher,  and  mechanician,  are  satisfied  to  go  on  as 
they  have  done,  though  with  ever  so  little  success  ?  Do 
we  not  see  in  all  other  departments  of  human  action, 
where  the  mind  is  really  intent  on  some  great  object,  and 
where  success  has  not  been  obtained  in  proportion  to  the 
labor  bestowed,  a  dissatisfaction  with  past  modes  of  ac- 
tion, and  a  determination  to  try  new  ones  ?  And  should 
we  who  watch  for  souls,  and  labor  for  immortality, 
be  behindhand  with  them  ?  In  caUing  for  new  meth- 
ods, I  want  no  new  doctrines ;  no  new  principles ;  no 
startling  eccentricities  ;  no  wild  irregularities ;  no  vagaries 
of  enthusiasm,  nor  fi-enzies  of  the  passions ;  no,  nothing 
but  what  the  most  sober  judgmejit  and  the  soundest  reason 
would  approve  ; — but  I  do  want  a  more  inventive,  as  well 
as  a  more  fervid  zeal  in  seeking  the  great  end  of  our  min- 
istry. Dull  uniformity,  and  not  enthusiasm,  is  the  side  on 
which  our  danger  lies.  I  know  very  well  the  contortions 
of  an  epileptic  zeal  are  to  be  avoided,  but  so  also  is  the 
numbness  of  a  paralytic  one  ;  and  after  all,  the  former  is 
less  dangerous  to  life,  and  is  more  easily  and  frequently 
cured,  than  the  latter.  We  may,  as  regards  our  preaching, 
for  instance,  examine  whether  we  have  not  dwelt  too  little 
on  the  alarming,  or  on  the  attractive  themes  of  revelation ; 
whether  we  have  not  clothed  our  discourses  too  much  with 
the  terrors  of  the  Lord,  and  determine  to  try  the  more 
winning  forms  of  love  and  mercy,  or  wliether  we  have  not 
rendered  the  gospel  powerless  by  an  everlasting  repetition 
/  of  it  in  common-place  phraseology  ;  whether  we  have  not 
been  too  argumentative,  and  resolve  to  be  more  imagina- 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  53 

tive,  practical,  and  hortatory ;  wliether  we  have  not  ad- 
dressed ourselves  too  exclusively  to  believers,  and  deter- 
mine to  commence  a  style  of  more  frequent  and  pungent 
address  to  the  unconverted  ;  whether  we  have  not  been  too 
vague  and  general  in  our  descriptions  of  sin,  and  become 
more  specific  and  discriminating ;  whether  we  have  not 
been  too  neglectful  of  the  young,  and  begin  a  regular 
course  of  sermons  to  them ;  whether  we  have  not  had  too 
much  sameness  of  topic,  and  adopt  courses  of  sermons  on 
given  subjects  ;  whether  we  have  not  been  too  elaborate 
and  abstract  in  the  composition  of  our  discourses,  and  come 
down  to  greater  simplicity ;  whether  we  have  not  been  too 
careless,  and  bestow  more  pains  ;  whether  we  have  not 
been  too  doctrinal,  and  in  future  make  all  truth,  as  it  was 
intended  to  do,  to  bear  upon  the  heart,  conscience,  and  life. 
Nor  must  the  inquiiy  stop  here.  There  must  be  the 
same  process  of  rigid  scrutiny  instituted  as  to  the  labors 
of  the  pastorate.  We  must  review  the  proceedings  of  this 
momentous  department,  for  here  also  is  most  ample  scope 
for  invention  as  to  new  plans  of  action.  Perhaps  upon 
inquiry  we  shall  find  out  that  we  have  neglected  various 
channels  through  which  our  influence  might  have  been 
poured  over  the  flock  committed  to  our  care,  and  shall  dis- 
cover many  ways  in  which  we  can  improve  upon  our  former 
plans  in  the  way  of  meeting  the  inquirers  after  salvation, 
giving  our  aid  to  Sunday  schools,  setting  up  Bible  classes, 
or  \asiting  the  flock.  What  is  needed,  is  an  anxious  wisk 
to  be  wanting  in  nothing  that  can  conduce  to  our  useful- 
ness, a  diligent  endeavor  to  make  up  every  deficiency,  and 
a  mind  ever  inquisitive  after  new  means  and  methods  of 
doing  good.  Could  we  all  but  adopt  the  plan  of  setting 
apart  a  day  at  the  close  of  every  year  for  solemn  exami- 
nation into  our  ministerial  and  pastoral  doings,  for  the  pur- 


54  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

pose  of  ascertaining  our  defects  and  neglects,  to  see  in  what 
we  could  improve,  to  humble  ourselves  before  God  for  the 
past,  and  to  lay  down  new  rules  for  the  future,  we  should 
all  be  more  abundantlj^  useful  than  we  are.  And  does  not 
earnestness  require  all  this  ?  Can  we  pretend  to  it  if  we 
do  not  ?  The  idea  of  a  minister's  going  on  from  year  to 
year  with  either  little  success,  or  none  at  all,  and  yet  never 
pausing  to  inquire  how  this  comes  to  pass,  or  what  can 
be  done  to  increase  his  efficiency,  is  so  utterly  repugnant 
to  all  proper  notions  of  devotedness,  that  we  are  obliged 
to  conclude  that  the  views  of  such  a  man  of  the  design 
of  his  office  are  radically  and  essentially  defective. 

Fourthly.  Earnestness  implies  a  i^urpose  and  power  of 
subordinating  everything  it  meets  toith,  selects,  or  engages 
in,  to  the  accomplishment  of  its  one  great  object. 

An  earnest  man  has  much  sagacity  in  discerning  objects, 
even  at  a  distance,  that  are  favorable  to  his  purpose; 
much  power  in  seizing  them  as  they  approach  ;  and  much 
tact  in  pressing  them  into  his  service,  and  weaving  them 
mto  his  schemes.  He  avoids  at  the  same  time  the  folly  of 
letting  go  his  main  object  in  the  pursuit  of  lesser  ones, 
and  of  thus  converting  means  into  ends.  The  operations  of 
his  mind  resemble  those  of  a  vast  machine,  in  which  the 
ruling  power  subjects  to  itself  the  thousand  little  wheels 
and  spindles  that  are  set  in  motion,  and  makes  them  all 
accomplish  tlie  purpose  for  which  the  engine  has  been  set 
up.  Or  the  current  of  his  thought  and  feeling  may  be 
compared  to  the  majestic  flow  of  some  noble  river,  which 
receives  into  its  stream,  and  bears  forward  in  its  course, 
the  numerous  rivulets  by  which  its  waters  are  swollen,  and 
its  power  increased.  So  acts  the  earnest  minister.  There 
are  various  matters  which  he  may  attend  to,  and  ought  not 
to  neglect,  which  may  with  gieat  propriety  be  considered 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  66 

as  means,  but  which  cannot  be  viewed  as  the  end  of  his 
high  and  holy  calling. 

The  FIRST  of  these  which  I  mention  is  learning,  and 
indeed,  general  knowledge  of  all  kinds.  Literature,  sci- 
ence, and  philosophy,  however  excellent  in  themselves,  and 
however  subservient  they  may  be  rendered  as  means  to 
accomplish  the  great  ends  of  the  ministerial  office,  must 
never,  I  repeat,  be  exalted  into  the  place  of  the  ends  them- 
selves. Viewed  as  subordinate  and  subsidiary,  they  cannot 
be  too  highly  valued,  nor  too  diligently  sought.  There  is 
not  any  kind  of  knowledge,  nor  any  degree  of  it,  which 
may  not  be  made  tributary  to  the  ends  of  gospel  ministra- 
tions. All  other  things  being  equal,  he  is  likely  to  be  the 
most  useful  preacher,  who  is  the  most  learned  one.  There 
is  nothing,  there  can  be  nothing,  in  literature  and  science, 
which  of  themselves  can  be  injurious  to  a  minister  of 
Christ :  the  pride  and  vanity  which  produce  such  a  result 
are  but  as  those  weeds  which  flourish  in  a  shallow  and 
sandy  soil,  but  which  wither  and  die  in  rich,  deep  loam. 
The  man  who  decries  learning  as  mischievous  'per  se  to  the 
ministry,  is  fit  only  to  be  torch-bearer  to  another  Caliph 
Omar,  and  to  act  the  part  of  an  incendiary  to  all  the  libra- 
ries of  the  world.  A  minister  may  have  too  little  piety, 
too  little  solicitude  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  too  little  de- 
votedness,  too  little  care  to  render  his  acquisitions  subser- 
vient to  the  ends  of  his  vocation,  but  he  can  never  have  too 
much  knowledge. 

**  Perhaps  the  best  answer  that  can  be  given  to  those 
inconsiderate  Christians  who  say  that  religion  needs  not 
such  foreiorn  and  meretricious  aids  as  human  learninor,  is 
th'T.t  of  South, — '  If  God  hath  no  need  of  our  learning,  he 
can  have  still  less  of  your  ignorance.'  In  the  spiritual 
temple,  as  well  as  in  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  there  is  room 


56  NATURE    OF    EARNEST>fE6S. 

not  only  for  those  humbler  gifts,  the  skins  and  hair  cloth, 
but  also  for  the  gold  and  silver  of  human  learning :  and 
even  the  sciences  themselves,  daughters  as  they  are  of  the 
uncreated  wisdom,  may  receive  consecration  from  seraphic 
piety,  and  be  made  priestesses  of  the  Most  Higli,  by  tlie 
very  service  in  which  we  employ  them."  Plow  beautiful 
is  the  following  language  of  Dr.  Wiseman,  and  how  correct 
the  sentiment  which  it  clothes  and  adorns  :  "  You  all,  I 
doubt  not,  have  often  admired  those  exquisite  paintings  in 
the  ceilings  of  the  Borgia  apartments  of  the  Vatican, 
wherein  the  sciences  are  represented  as  holding  their  sep- 
arate courts  ;  each  enthroned  upon  a  stately  chair,  with 
features  and  mien  of  the  most  noble  and  dignified  beauty, 
surrounded  by  the  emblems  and  most  distinguished  repre- 
sentatives of  its  powxr  on  earth,  and  seeming  to  claim 
homage  from  all  that  gaze  upon  it.  And  judge  what 
would  have  been  the  painter's  conception,  and  to  what  a 
sublimity  of  expression  he  would  have  risen,  had  it  been 
his  task  to  represent  the  noblest  of  all  sciences,  our  divine 
religion,  enthroned,  as  ever  becomes  her,  to  receive  the 
fealty  and  worship  of  these  her  handmaids.  For  if,  as 
hath  been  proved,  they  are  but  ministers  to  her  superior 
rule,  and  are  intended  to  furnish  the  evidences  of  her 
authority,  how  much  above  theirs  must  be  the  comeliness 
and  grace,  and  majesty  and  holiness,  with  which  she  must 
be  arrayed  !  And  what  honor  and  dignity  must  be  con- 
ferred on  him  who  feels  himself  deputed^to  bear  the  tribute 
of  these  fair  vassals  ;  and  how  must  his  admiration  of  their 
graces  be  enhanced,  by  finding  himself  brought  so  near 
her  presence."* 

♦  Dr.  Wiskman's  "  Lectures  on  the  Connection  between  Science 
and  Revealed  Religion."     Vol.  II.,  p.  317. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  67 

This  splendid  passage  expresses  what  I  would  urgently 
enforce,  that  literature  and  science  may  be  subservient,  but 
must  be  onUj  subservient,  to  the  ends  of  the  ministerial 
office. 

Having  thus  quoted  a  passage  from  a  Roman  Catholic 
author,  let  me  subjoin  to  it  another  from  a  Protestant,  of 
a  different  kind  indeed,  but  by  no  means  inharmonious 
with  it.  "  0  my  brethren,"  says  the  amiable  and  pious 
Doddridge,  in  his  incomparable  sermon  on  *'  The  Evil  and 
Danger  of  Neglecting  Soul.^,"  "  let  us  consider  how  fast 
we  are  posting  through  this  dying  life,  which  God  has 
assigned  to  us,  in  which  we  are  to  manage  concerns  of  infi- 
nite moment ;  how  fast  we  are  passing  on  to  the  immediate 
presence  of  our  Lord,  to  give  up  our  account  to  him.  You 
must  judge  for  yourselves,  but  permit  me  to  say  for  my 
own  part,  1  would  not  for  ten  thousand  worlds  be  that 
man,  who  when  God  shall  ask  him  at  last  how  he  has  em- 
ployed most  of  his  time,  Avhile  he  continued  a  minister  of 
his  church,  and  had  tlie  care  of  souls,  shall  be  obhged  to 
reply,  '  Lord,  I  have  restored  many  corrupted  passages  in 
the  classics,  and  illustrated  many  which  were  before  ob- 
scure ;  I  have  cleared  up  many  intricacies  in  chronology 
or  geography ;  I  have  solved  many  perplexed  cases  in 
algebra ;  I  have  refined  on  astronomical  calculations,  and 
left  behind  me  many  sheets  on  these  curious  and  difficult 
subjects  ;  and  these  are  the  employments  in  which  my  fife  /' 
has  been  worn  out,  while  preparations  for  the  pulpit,  and 
ministrations  in  it,  did  not  demand  my  more  immediate 
attendance.'  Oh  sirs,  as  for  the  waters  that  are  drawn 
from  these  springs,  how  sweetly  soever  they  may  taste  to 
a  curious  mind  that  thirsts  after  them,  or  to  an  amUtious 
mind  that  thirsts  for  the  applause  they  sometimes  procure, 
I  fear  there  is  too  often  reason  to  pour  them  out  before  the 

3* 


5»  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

Lord,  with  rivers  of  penitential  tears,  as  the  blood  of  souls 
which  have  been  forgotten,  whilst  these  trifles  have  been 
remembered  and  pursued." 

This  is  tlie  language  of  a  scliolar,  a  critic,  and  a  man  of 
varied  knowledge ;  but  whose  piety  as  a  Christian,  and 
whose  devotedness  as  a  minister,  were  equal  to  his  other 
attainments.  In  a  foot-note  to  this  admirable  discourse, 
which  we  ministers  should  do  well  to  read  once  a  month, 
is  a  quotiition  from  a  sermon  of  a  Scottish  minister, 
preached  before  the  Synod  of  Glasgow,  which  also  I  may 
with  propiiety  introduce  liere  : — "  A  just  sense  of  the  re- 
lation we  stand  in  to  our  flocks,  and  a  genuine  feeling  of 
that  affection  which  is  due  to  them,  will  not  allow  us  to 
hesitate  one  moment,  whether  that  part  of  our  time  is  most 
worthily  employed,  which  is  taken  up  in  doing  real  offices 
of  friendship  among  them,  or  that  part  of  it  which  is  spent 
in  perusing  the  finest  writings  of  the  greatest  genius  that 
ever  appeared  in  our  world,  or  in  polishing  any  little  com- 
positions of  our  own.  Is  the  arranging  of  words,  the 
beautifying  of  language,  or  even  storing  our  own  minds 
with  the  divinest  sentiments,  an  employment  of  equal  dig- 
nity and  importance  in  itself,  or  equally  pleasing  in  reflec- 
tion, with  tliat  of  composing  differences  or  extinguishing 
animosities,  searching  out  modest  and  indigent  merit,  and 
relieAing  it,  comforting  a  melancholy  heart,  giving  counsel 
to  a  perplexed  mind,  suspending  pain  by  our  presence  and 
sympathy,  suggesting  to  an  unfurnished  mind  proper  ma- 
teiials  for  meditation  in  the  time  of  distress,  or  laying  hold 
of  a  favorable  opportunity  of  conveying  valuable  instruc- 
tion and  religious  impressions  to  a  mind  little  susceptible 
of  them  on  other  occasions?  There  is  no  need  of  saying 
ai<y  thing  in  confirmation  of  this  :  it  was  the  glorious  char- 
acter of  Jesus,  that  he  went  about  doing  good.'' 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  59 

It  might  be  admitted,  and  shall  be  conceded,  that  we 
live  in  an  age  when,  to  carry  out  the  main  purpose  of 
the  Christian  ministry,  and  to  render  it  efl&cient  for  the 
salvation  of  souls,  there  requires  a  higher  standard  of  min- 
isterial qualifications,  and  larger  acquirements  of  general 
knowledge,  than  at  some  former  periods. 

It  will,  I  hope,  be  clearly  seen  from  all  this,  that  I  am 
not  decrying  education,  or  leaniing,  or  the  greatest  diU- 
gence  in  ministers  for  the  acquisition  of  knoAvledge  ;  quite 
the  contrary ;  but  I  am  enforcing  with  all  the  earnestness 
I  can  command,  the  indispensable  necessity  of  rendering 
all  acquirements  subordinate  to  the  great  work  of  saving 
souls.  Learning,  as  an  ultimate  object  and  for  its  own 
sake,  is  infinitely  below  the  ambition  of  a  holy  and  de- 
voted servant  of  Christ ;  but  learning  employed  to  invigo- 
rate the  intellect,  to  enrich  the  imagination,  to  cultivate  the 
taste,  to  give  power  to  thought,  and  variety  to  illustration ; 
to  add  to  the  skill  and  energy  with  which  we  wield  the 
weapons  of  our  warfare,  is  in  some  cases  indispensable,  and 
in  all  invaluable.  Unhappily  it  is  not  uncommon  for  those 
who  have  made  large  acquisitions  in  varied  learning,  and 
acquired  a  scientific,  philosophic  or  literary  taste,  to  yield 
to  the  seductions  of  the  objects  of  their  pursuits,  and  to 
allow  themselves  to  be  led  astray  from  the  simplicity  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus.  If  there  is  one  man  to  be  admired,  en- 
vied, and  imitated  above  all  others,  it  is  he  who  has  bap- 
tized large  classic  and  scientific  acquirements  at  the  font 
of  Christianity, — has  surrendered  them  at  the  foot  of  the 
cross,  and  gathered  them  up  into  the  nerve  of  his  strength, 
as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  To  hear  such  a  man  chas- 
tening and  guiding,  but  not  checking  or  freezing  the  gush- 
ing utterances  of  a  full  heart,  by  the  rules  of  geniune 


GO  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

eloquence ;  and  warming  and  sanctifying  the  finest  speci- 
mens of  rhetoric  by  tlie  glow  of  a  soul  on  fire  with  th- 
V  passion  of  love  to  God  and  souls ;  to  see  the  genius  of 
Tully  and  Demosthenes  clothing  themselves  with  the 
mantle  of  Paul,  Peter,  and  John,  and  under  the  constrain- 
ing love  of  Chiist,  employing  all  its  resources  of  diction 
and  of  metaphor,  to  persuade  men  to  be  reconciled  to 
God, — is  an  object  of  sm-passing  interest :  to  such  preach- 
ers we  can  almost  fancy  that  not  only  men.  but  angels, 
must  listen  with  delisrht. 

o 

There  is,  however,  too  much  truth  in  the  following  re- 
marks of  Dr.  Vaughan  :  "  The  effect  of  learning  and  of 
elegant  scholarship,  in  the  modern  pulpit,  has  commonly 
been  to  render  men  incapable  of  producing  impressions  of 
this  nature  in  any  degree.  In  the  case  of  such  preachers, 
neither  the  diction  they  use,  nor  the  mould  into  which 
they  cast  their  expressions  and  sentences,  noi*  the  compar- 
isons they  introduce,  nor  anything  belonging  to  their 
rhetoric,  has  been  an  object  of  study  Avith  a  view  to  its 
fitness  to  secure  attention,  and  to  move  the  thouffhts  and 
passions  of  such  assembhes  as  are  generally  convened  by 
the  preacher — assemblies  made  up  from  the  popular,  much 
more  than  from  the  thoroughly  educated  classes  of  society. 
The  great  object  of  this  class  of  preachers  has  been  to 
acquit  themselves  learnedly,  or  to  acquit  themselves  ele- 
gantly. It  is  grievous  to  witness  the  mischiefs  which  have 
resulted  from  this  conventionalism  in  pulpit  taste.  If  our 
pulpit  lessons  must  be  veiled  in  the  language  of  a  particu- 
lar kind  of  scholarship,  then  the  people  generally,  and  even 
men  of  good  natural  parts,  who  have  not  been  initiated 
into  that  sholarship,  will  fail  to  perceive  our  meaning,  and 
will  begin,  as  the  consequence,  to  cast  about  for  some  bet- 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  61 

ter  employment  than  listening  to   the  utterance    3f  our 
uaknown  tonjrue."* 

o 

I  go  on  now  to  mention  another  qualification  for  the 
sacred  office,  and  which  the  earnest  minister  will  anxiously 
cultivate  with  a  view  to  the  great  object  of  his  life  and 
labors,  and  to  which  I  advance  with  a  praying  mind,  an 
anxious  heart,  and  a  trembhng  hand,  ardently  desirous  to 
set  it  forth  in  such  manner  as  shall  secure  for  it  the 
attention  which  its  importance  demands  ;  I  mean  personal 
RELIGION.  We  are  weak  in  the  pulpit,  because  we  are 
weak  in  the  closet.  An  earnest  man  will  not  only  train 
his  mind  to  understand  his  object,  and  draw  around  him 
the  resources  of  ways  and  means  for  its  accomplishment, 
but  will  discipline  his  heart ;  for  there,  within,  is  the  spring 
of  his  energies,  the  seat  of  impulse,  and  the  source  of 
power.  If  the  heart  beat  feebly,  the  whole  circulation 
must  be  sluggish,  and  the  frame  inert.  So  is  it  with  us 
ministers :  our  own  personal  religion  is  the  mainspring  of 
all  our  power  in  the  pulpit.  We  are  feeble  as  preachers, 
because  we  are  feeble  as  Christians,  Whatever  other  de- 
ficiencies we  have,  the  chief  of  all  lies  in  the  heart.  The 
apostle  said,  "We  beheve  and  therefore  speak."  We  not 
only  speak  what  we  believe,  but  as  we  believe  ;  if  the  faith 
be  weak,  so  will  be  the  utterance.  In  another  place  the 
same  inspired  writer  said,  "  Knowing  the  terroi's  of  the 
Lord,  we  persuade  men."  It  was  when  standing  as  amidst 
the  solemnities  of  the  last  judgment,  that  apostles  besought 
men  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  The  flame  of  zeal  which  in 
their  ministrations  rose  to  such  a  height  and  intensity  as  to 
subject  them  to  the  charge  of  insanity,  is  thus  accounted 


*  Modern  Pulpit,  pp.  33,  24. 


/> 


62  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

for,  "The  ]ov3  of  Christ  constrameth  us."  We  have  too 
mucli  forgotten  that  the  fount  of  eloquence  is  in  the  heart; 
and  that  it  is  fechng  whicli  gives  to  words  and  thoughts 
their  power.  An  unrenewed  man,  or  one  with  a  lukewarm 
piety,  may  preach  elaborate  sermons  upon  orthodox  doc- 
trines ;  but  what  are  they  for  power  and  efficiency,  when 
compared  with  those  of  the  preacher,  who  feels  as  well  as 
glories  in  the  cioss,  but  as  the  splendid  coruscations  of 
the  aurora  borealis  to  the  warm  and  vivifying  rays  of  the 
sun  ? 

The  Christian  minister  sustains  a  double  relation,  and 
has  a  double  duty  to  perform  ;  he  is  a  preacher  to  the 
world,  and  a  pastor  to  the  church,  and  it  is  impossible  he 
can  fulfil,  or  be  in  earnest  to  fulfil,  the  obligations  he  is 
under  to  either,  without  a  large  measure  of  personal  god- 
liness. As  regards  the  church  which  is  committed  to  his 
care,  and  of  Avhich  he  is  made  by  the  Holy  Ghost  the 
spiritual  overseer,  he  has  not  only  to  increase  their  knowl- 
edge, but  their  holiness,  their  love,  and  their  spirituality ; 
to  aid  them  in  performing  all  the  branches  of  their  duty, 
and  in  cultivating  all  the  graces  of  their  sanctification. 
And  what  is  the  present  spiritual  condition  of  the  great 
bulk  of  the  professors  of  religion  ?  Amidst  much  that  is 
cheering,  there  is,  on  the  other  hand,  much  that  is  dis- 
couraging and  distressing  to  the  more  pious  observer. 
We  behold  a  strange  combination  of  zeal  and  worldly- 
mindedness ;  great  activity  for  the  extension  of  religion  in 
the  earth,  united  with  lamentable  indifference  to  the  state 
of  religion  in  the  soul ;  in  short,  apparent  vigor  in  the 
extremities,  with  a  growing  torpor  at  the  heart.  Multi- 
tudes aie  substituting  zeal  for  piety,  IrberaUty  for  mortifi:- 
cation,  and  a  social  for  a  personal  religion.  No  careful 
reader  of  the  New  Testament,  and  observer  of  the  present 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  63 

state  of  the  ilmrch,  can  fail  to  be  convinced,  one  should  *^' 
think,  that  what  is  now  wanting  is  a  high  spirituality. 
The  Christian  profession  is  sinking  in  its  tone  of  piety ; 
the  line  of  separation  between  the  church  and  the  world 
becomes  less  and  less  perceptible ;  and  the  character  of 
genuine  Christianity,  as  expounded  from  pulpits  and  de- 
hneated  in  books,  has  too  rare  a  counterpart  in  the  lives 
and  spirit  of  its  professors. 

How  is  this  to  be  remedied,  and  by  what  means  is  the 
spirit  of  piety  to  be  revived  ?  May  we  not  ask  a  previous 
question — How^  came  this  spirit  of  slumber  over  the 
church  ?  Was  it  not  from  the  pulpit  ?  And  if  a  revival 
take  place  in  the  former,  must  it  not  begin  in  the  latter  ? 
Is  the  ministry  of  the  present  day  in  that  state  of  earnest 
piety  which  is  likely  to  originate  and  sustain  an  earnest 
style  of  preaching,  and  to  revive  the  lukewarmness  of 
their  flocks  ?  I  do  not  mean  for  a  moment  to  insinuate 
that  the  ministers  of  the  present  day  among  the  Dissenters, 
or  Methodists,  or  the  evangelical  clergy  of  the  Church  of 
England,  are  characterized  by  immorality,  or  even  a  want 
of  substantial  holiness ;  or  that  they  would  suffer,  as 
regards  their  piety,  in  comparison  with  those  of  some 
other  periods  of  the  history  of  tlieir  denominations  :  but 
what  I  am  compelled  to  believe,  and  what  I  now  express, 
is  that  our  deficiencies  are  great  as  compared  not  only 
with  what  is  always  required  of  us,  but  is  especially  re- 
quired by  the  circumstances  of  the  times  in  which  we  live.  "-^ 
Amidst  the  eager  pursuits  of  commerce  ;  the  elegancies 
and  soft  indulgences  of  an  age  of  growing  refinement ;  the 
high  cultivation  of  the  intellect,  and  the  contests  of  politics, 
the  church  needs  a  strong  and  high  barrier  to  keep  out  the 
encroachment  of  tides  so  adverse  to  its  prosperity,  and 
needs  equally  a  dam  to  keep  in  its  spiritual  feeling.     And 


64  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

where  shall  we  find  this,  if  not  in  the  pulpit  ?  Ii  is  not  in 
the  nature  of  things  to  be  expected  that  the  spiritua  char- 
acter of  the  church  should  ever  be  superior  to  that  of  the 
ministry ;  and  it  is  perfectly  consistent  with  what  we  know 
of  human  nature  to  expect  tliat  it  will  always  hold  itself 
excused  for  being  inferior.  It  will  not  tread  a  path  which 
its  spiritual  guides  are  slow  to  pursue  ;  and  will  deem  it 
an  aifectation  of  sanctity  and  presumptuous  ambition  to 
attempt  to  advance  beyond  them.  How  else  than  by 
believing  in  a  deficiency  of  our  piety  can  we  account  for 
the  fact  of  a  diminished  efficiency  in  our  ministry  ? 

I  cannot  resist  the  temptation  of  giving  here  a  long  ex- 
tract from  that  beautiful  tract  entitled  "  A  Revived  Minis- 
try our  only  hope  for  a  Revived  Church  ;"  a  tract  so 
eminently  excellent,  and  so  adapted  to  promote  the  end  of 
the  pious  and  accomplished  writer,  that  it  is  a  proof  that 
we  have  litCle  wush  to  be  raised  to  higher  attainments  in 
piety,  that  such  a  heart-searching,  soul-reviving  production 
has  yet  reached  only  a  second  edition.* 

"And  for  such  a  revived  ministry  there  would  be  the 
most  hopeful  preparation  of  mind.  The  object  to  be 
aimed  at  would  be  distinctly  conceived  ;  it  would  be  loved 
and  cherish'ed  as  the  noblest  to  which  a  redeemed  being 
can  consecrate  himself ;  and  there  would  be  a  readiness  to 
yield  everything  to  the  urgency  and  grandeur  of  its  claims, 
together  with  the  simplicity  and  guilelessness  of  intention, 
which  would  mightily  aid  the  judgment  in  seeing  its  best 
way  to  the  best  methods  of  achieving  it.  In  such  circum- 
stances, all  the  distracting  influences  arising  from  indistinct 


♦  A  pious  clergyman  of  this  town  was  soimpiesscd  with  the  beauty, 
fidelity,  and  earnestness  of  this  tract,  that  he  purchased  a  hundred 
copies  for  distribution  among  his  brethren, 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  05 

views,  a  divided  heart,  and  infirmity  of  purpose,  would  be 
withdrawn,  and  leave  the  minister  of  Christ  free  to  take  a 
decided  and  energetic  course.  The  subjection  of  the 
church  and  the  world  to  the  dominion  of  the  truth,  in  a 
pure  heart  and  holy  life,  would  be  ever  present  to  his 
mind  as  the  sole  aiul  subhme  end  of  his  ministry  ;  and, 
drawing  after  it  the  full  tide  of  his  sympathies,  and  per- 
mitting no  diversion  of  his  strength  to  any  inferior  object, 
it  would  command  all  his  powers,  and  dispossess  him  of 
every  wish  but  that  of  living  and  dying  for  it.  And  that 
moment  would  be  the  dawn  of  an  era  of  prosperity. 

"  Everything  which  he  did  would  be  enlivened  by  the 
presence  of  a  warmer  and  holier  zeal :  but  it  would  be  the 
public  administration  of  divine  truth,  in  the  ordinance  of 
preaching,  in  which  the  stronger  and  healthier  pulsations 
of  spiritual  life  would  be  most  signally  displayed,  and  from 
which  the  largest  results  -might  be  expected.  In  this  he 
would  be  prepared  for  acting  a  new  part.  Himself  saved 
and  eminently  sanctified,  as  well  as  possessed  of  the  whole 
treasury  of  sacred  knowledge  in  the  inspired  volume,  he 
would  be  well  versed  in  the  respective  truths  best  calcu- 
lated for  awakening  the  unconverted,  and  promoting  the 
highest  sanctification  of  the  church,  and  administer  them 
with  improved  wisdom  and  force.  The  wretchedness  of 
the  soul  as  guilty,  depraved,  and  hastening  to  the  judg- 
ment-seat ;  the  blessedness  of  arresting  it  in  its  downward 
course,  and  of  exalting  it  once  more  to  the  glory  of  the 
Divine  image  and  favor ;  the  ample  means  provided  for  all 
this  in  the  mediation  of  Christ;  the  experience  of  their 
efficacy  in  himself,  and  the  conviction  of  their  undiminished 
power  to  do  as  much  for  othei-s ;  the  rapid  flight  of  time 
and  the  possibility  of  all  the  mercy  overshadowing  that 
hour  being  trifled  with  and  lost  forever, — these  thrill  his- 


"C6  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

soul  with  mingled  commiseration,  liope,  and  fear,  and  urge 
him  to  improve  to  the  utmost  the  fleeting  opportunity  of 
snatching  sinners  from  perdition,  and  adding  to  the  bright- 
ness of  the  Redeemer's  crown.  How  well  chosen  is  his 
theme !  no  matter  of  curious  speculation,  but  some  one  or 
more  of  the  solemn  verities  which  concern  the  instant  faith 
and  obedience  of  every  hearer,  and  bring  life  or  death,  as 
accepted  or  rejected.  Away  with  those  artificial  rules 
which  some  have  prescribed,  as  if  to  prepare  a  sermon 
were  something  like  composing  an  epic  !  He  has  a  truth 
to  enforce,  a  moral  effect  to  produce,  and  the  sense  of  its 
unutterable  importance  brings  to  bear  upon  it  all  the  re- 
sources of  a  judicious,  intelligent,  and  impassioned  mind. 
Bent  on  winning  souls  to  God,  or  quickening  them  to 
higher  obedience,  this  one  desire  possesses  and  inflames 
him,  and  gives  a  unity  and  completeness  to  his  subject,  a 
force  and  compactness  of  argument,  a  felicity  of  speech 
and  manner,  an  ardor  and  inipressiveness  of  appeal,  which 
the  art  of  the  rhetorician  could  never  have  supplied.  He 
feels,  moreover,  that  liis  strength  is  in  God,  and  that  the 
pleadings  of  human  wisdom  and  pity  never  availed  apart 
from  a  higher  inspiration.  Would  there  not  be  more  than 
HOPE  from  a  ministry  like  this  ?  In  itself  so  convincing  and 
persuasive,  rendered  still  more  so  by  the  practical  exhibi- 
tion of  all  the  faith,  upriglitness,  benevolence,  and  spirit- 
uality which  it  inculcates,  looking  to  God,  and  owning  its 
weakness  without  his  blessing,  it  would  have  all  the  char- 
acteristics from  which  the  susceptibilities  of  the  human 
mind,  and  the  solemn  promises  of  the  Almighty,  authorize 
the  expectation  of  enlarged  success.  When  was  such  a 
ministry  known  to  be  long  in  contact  with  the  minds  of 
men,  without  producing  the  happiest  effects  ?  *  The  word 
of  the  Lord  would  have  free  coarse  and  be  glorified,'  coji- 


NATURE    OF   Ei.  rtNESTNESS.  6Y 

verts  press  into  the  church,  and  the  churcli  be  raised  to  a 
higher  renovation. 

"  And  the  minister  thus  revived  would  have  unwonted 
power  in  individual  intercourse  with  the  members  of  his 
flock.  Living  only  for  their  advancement  in  faith  and 
hoUness,  the  warmth  and  tenderness  of  his  concern  for  it 
would  make  him  prompt  to  seize  eveiy  opportunity  of 
promoting  it,  and  give  an  appropriateness  and  weight  to 
his  sayings  which  a  colder  and  less  earnest  piety  would 
never  have  dictated  ;  while  the  objects  of  his  solicitude, 
feeling  the  point  and  force  of  his  words,  and  impressed 
with  his  singleness  of  purpose,  and  still  more  with  that 
uniform  display  of  the  Christian  virtues,  which  was  the 
best  voucher  of  his  deep  sincerity,  would  find  themselves 
drawn  along  by  a  combination  of  influences  so  pure  and 
commanding,  that  they  must  tread  in  the  steps  of  his 
piety,  and  bend  to  his  hallowed  purpose  of  extending  the 
limits  of  the  church,  and  giving  it  a  holier  aspect.  Every 
faithful  minister  can  look  back  upon  seasons  when,  under 
the  kindlings  of  a  warmer  love  and  zeal,  and  a  more 
affectinjT  sense  of  external  things,  he  was  animated  to 
increased  exertion  ;  and  he  has  found  that,  not  only  did 
his  preaching  fix  the  attention  and  touch  the  souls  of  his 
hearers  more  than  at  other  times,  but  that,  when  he  went 
among  them  in  private,  the  elevation  of  his  spirit,  the 
seriousness  of  his  converse,  and  the  solemnity  and  unction 
pervading  his  petitions,  produced  an  evident  impression, 
and  that  he  left  them  with  improved  feelings  and  resolves. 
All  emotion  is  contagious,  and  easily  propagates  itself  to 
other  bosoms ;  but,  beside  this,  the  wakefulness  of  his 
zeal,  and  his  steadiness  of  purpose,  made  him  eager  io 
extract  the  highest  amount  of  good  from  every  oppor- 
tunity,  stimulated   ingenuity,   and   gave   an  aptness   and 


68  NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS. 

chai*m  to  all  that  he  said,  which  fell  with  happy  effect  on 
the  understanding  and  the  heart.  And  had  the  ardor  and 
detennination  of  those  seasons  been  permanent,  the  equa- 
ble and  healthy  excitement  of  every  day's  labor,  instead  of 
soon  relapsing  into  the  feebler  sensibility  of  other  times, 
his  ministry  would,  doubtless,  have  told  a  different  history, 
and  been  far  more  richly  laden  with  precious  fruit." 

Happy  shall  I  feel  if  this  feeble  tribute,  not  only  of  the 
recommendation  of  my  pen,  but  of  my  heart's  gratitude 
for  the  benefit  I  have  derived  from  this  production,  shall 
induce  any  of  my  brethren  to  peruse  this  precious  gift 
which  has  been  offered  to  them  by  a  writer  who  veils  him- 
self under  the  modest  title  of  ''  One  of  the  least  among 
the  brethren." 

Do  we  want  examples  and  patterns  of  eminent  and  ear- 
nest piety,  how  richly  are  they  supplied  both  in  number 
and  in  quality  in  the  pages  of  our  own  denominational  his- 
tory. Where  is  the  deep,  ardent,  experimental  religion  of 
our  ancestors,  the  fathers  and  foundeis  of  Protestant  non- 
conformity ?  What  a  theologian  was  Owen  when  he  wrote 
his  Exposition  of  the  Hebrews  !  What  a  polemic  when  he 
penned  his  controversy  with  Biddulph  !  What  an  eccle- 
siastic when  he  drew  up  his  treatise  on  Church  Govern- 
ment! But  what  a  Christian  when  he  indulged  in  his 
"  Meditations  on  the  Glory  of  Christ,"  and  gave  us  his 
treatise  **  On  Spirituality  of  Mind  and  the  Mortification  of 
Sin !"  What  a  logician  and  divine  was  Howe,  when  he 
produced  his  "Living  Temple;"  but  what  a  Christian 
when,  in  the  shadow  of  this  noble  structure  of  his  holy 
genius,  he  poured  out  his  heart  in  his  work  on  "  Delight- 
ing in  God,"  and  "  The  Blessedness  of  the  Righteous." 
And  then  think  of  holy  Baxter,  who  gained  repose  from 
the  labors  of  polemic  strife,  and  relief  from  the  tortures  of 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  69 

the  stone,  in  the  believing  anticipations  of  "  The  Saint's 
Kest."  Was  their  piety  the  result  of  their  suffering  ? 
Then  for  one  I  could  be  almost  content  to  take  the  latter, 
so  that  I  might  be  possessed  of  the  former.  Lead  me  to 
the  spots,  I  do  not  say  where  they  trimmed  their  midnight 
lamp,  and  continued  at  their  studies  till  the  morning  star, 
glittering  through  their  casement,  chided  them  to  their 
pillow ;  but  to  those  more  hallowed  scenes  where  they 
held  their  nightly  vigils,  and  wrestled  with  the  angel  till 
the  break  of  day.  Mighty  shades  of  Owen  and  Baxter; 
Howe  and  Manton  ;  Henry  and  Bates  ;  Goodwin  and 
Nye — illustrious  and  holy  men,  we  thank  you  for  the  rich 
legacy  you  have  bequeathed  to  us  in  your  immortal  works ; 
but  oh,  where  has  the  mantle  of  your  piety  fallen ! 

God  of  our  fathers  !  be  the  God 
Of  their  succeeding  race. 

Here  then  let  us  begin,  where  indeed  we  ought  to  begin, 
with  our  own  spirits ;  for  what  should  be  the  piety  of  that 
man  on  the  state  of  whose  heart  depends  in  no  small  de- 
gree the  spiritual  condition  of  a  whole  Christian  commu- 
nity ?  If  we  turn  to  any  department  of  human  action,  we 
shall  learn  that  no  one  can  inspire  a  taste,  much  less  ft 
passion,  for  the  object  of  his  own  pursuit,  who  is  not  him- 
self most  powerfully  moved  by  it.  It  is,  as  I  have  said, 
the  scintillation  of  his  own  zeal  flying  oflF  from  his  own 
glowing  heart,  and  falling  upon  their  souls,  which  kindles 
in  them  the  iBre  which  burns  in  himself.  Lukewarmness 
can  excite  no  ardor,  originate  no  activity,  produce  no  effect : 
it  benumbs  whatever  it  touches.  If  we  inquire  for  the 
sources  of  energy,  the  springs  of  activity,  in  the  most  suc- 
cessful ministers  of  Christ,  we  shall  find  that  they  lay  in 
the  ardor  of  their  devotion.     They  were  men  of  prayer 


70  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

and  of  faith.  Tliey  dwelt  upon  tlic  mount  of  communion 
with  God,  from  whence  they  came  down  like  Moses  to  the 
people,  radiant  with  the  glory  on  which  they  had  them- 
selves been  intently  gazing.  They  stationed  themselves 
where  they  could  look  at  things  unseen  and  eternal,  and 
came  with  the  stupendous  \isions  fresh  in  their  view,  and 
spoke  of  them  under  the  impression  of  what  they  had  just 
seen  and  heard.  They  drew  their  thoughts  and  made 
their  sermons  from  their  minds  and  from  their  books,  but 
they  breathed  hfe  and  power  into  them  from  their  hearts, 
and  in  their  closets.  Trace  either  Whitfield  or  Wesley 
m  their  career,  and  you  will  see  how  beaten  was  the  road 
between  the  pulpit  and  the  closet:  the  grass  was  not  al- 
lowed to  grow  in  that  path.  This  was  in  great  part  the 
secret  of  their  power.  They  w^ere  mighty  in  public,  be- 
cause in  their  retirement  they  had  clothed  themselves,  so 
to  speak,  with  Omnipotence.  The  same  might  be  said  of 
all  othei*s  who  have  attained  to  eminence  as  successful 
preachers  of  the  gospel.  If  then  we  would  see  a  revival 
of  the  power  of  the  pulpit,  Ave  must  see  first  of  all  a  revi- 
val in  the  piety  of  those  who  occupy  it :  and  when  this  is 
the  case,  then  "  He  that  is  feeble  among  us  shall  be  as 
David,  and  the  house  of  Da^id  shall  be  as  God,  as  the 
angel  of  the  Lord  before  them." 


CHAPTER  III. 

NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS,    CONTINUED, 

AS  EXEMPLIFIED  IN  THE  MATTER  AND  MANNER  OF  PREACHING. 

Fifthly.  Earnestness  will  manifest  itself  by  energetic 
and  untiring  action  in  the  use  of  those  means  hy  which  its 
object  is  accomiMshed.  It  does  not  satisfy  itself  with  con- 
templation, however  enraptured  ;  schemes,  however  well 
concerted  ;  wishes,  however  fervent,  or  anticipations,  how- 
ever lively  :  but  proceeds  to  vigorous  and  well-adapted 
exertion.  An  earnest  man  must  of  necessity  be  an  active 
one  :  he  is  the  opposite  and  the  contrast  of  an  idle  dreamer. 
"  I  see  my  object,"  he  exclaims ;  "  it  stands  out  in  bold  re- 
lief, clearly  defined  before  my  eyes,  and  I  will  leave  no  ef- 
fort untried  to  accomphsh  it.  I  have  made  up  my  mind 
to  labor,  self-denial,  and  fatigue ;  and  if  I  do  not  succeed 
it  shall  not  be  for  want  of  determined  and  continuoui 
effort."  Such  is  his  resolution,  and  his  practice  is  like  it. 
He  is  always  at  work.  You  know  where  to  find  him,  and 
how  he  is  employed.  He  is  the  very  type  of  diligence. 
Labor  is  pleasure.  No  difficulties  deter  him,  no  disap- 
pointments dishearten  him.  The  ignorant  do  not  under- 
stand   him,  the  indolent  pity  him,  but  the  intelligent  ad- 


72  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

mire  him.  There  is  something  in  his  earnestness  com- 
manding, grand  ;  especially  when  the  object  of  it  is  wor- 
thy. 

Apply  tliis  to  the  ministry:  there  are  two  means  by 
which  this  accomplishes  its  end,  preaching  and  the  pasto- 
rate. 

In  reference  to  the  former,  I  advert  first  to  the  matter 
of  our  ministrations.  And  this  must  consist,  of  course,  of 
those  topics  which  bear  most  obviously  and  directly  upon 
the  great  ends  we  are  seeking  to  accomplish.  Earnestness 
will  take  the  ni^arest  and  most  direct  road  to  its  object; 
nor  will  it  be  seduced  from  its  path  by  beautiful  prospects 
and  pleasant  walks,  that  lie  in  another  direction.  "  I  want 
to  ^-each  that  point,  and  I  cannot  allow  myself  to  be  at- 
tracted by  scenes,  which,  however  agreeable  and  appropri- 
ate to  others,  would,  if  I  sta3-ed  or  turned  to  contemplate 
them,  only  hinder  me  in  my  business."  Such  is  the  lan- 
guage of  one  intent  upon  success  in  any  given  scheme. 
Now  what  is  the  end  of  our  office?  The  reconciliation  of 
sinners  to  God,  and  their  ultimate  and  complete  salvation, 
when  so  reconciled.  It  is  easy  then  to  see  that  the  matter 
of  our  instruction  and  persuation  must  be,  the  ministry  of 
reconciliation.  Of  course  it  must  be  our  purpose  to  de- 
clare the  whole  counsel  of  God,  and  to  remember  "  that 
all  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  and  is  profita- 
ble for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction 
in  righteousness  :  that  the  man  of  God  may  be  thoroughly 
furnished  unto  all  good  works."  In  the  Avay  of  exposition 
a  minister  should  go  through  the  greater  part  of  the  whole 
Bible,  fairly  and  honestly  explaining  and  enforcing  it.  But 
since  the  whole  Bible,  as  explained  by  the  most  perfect 
revelation  of  the  New  Testament,  directly  or  indirectly 
points  to  Christ,  or  raav  be  illustrated  and  enjoined  by  con- 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  73 

siderations  suggested  by  his  mission  and  work,  our  preach- 
ing should  have  a  decidedly  evangelical  character.  The 
divinity,  incarnation,  and  death  of  Christ — ^his  atonement 
for  sin — his  resurrection,  ascension,  intercession,  and  medi- 
atorial reign — his  spiritual  kingdom,  and  his  second  com- 
ing ;  the  offices  and  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  illuminat- 
ing, regenerating,  and  sanctifying  the  human  soul ;  the 
doctiine  of  justification  by  faith,  and  the  new  birth  ;  the 
sovereignty  of  God  in  the  dispensation  of  his  saving  gifts 
— these  and  their  kindred  and  collateral  topics  should  form, 
so  to  speak,  the  staple  of  our  public  ministrations  and  teach- 
ing. It  surely  must  be  this  which  the  apostle  meant  when 
he  said,  "  I  determined  not  to  know  anything  among  you 
sa^'e  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified."  "  The  Jews  require 
a  !^ign,  and  the  Greeks  seek  after  wisdom,  but  we  preach 
Cliiist  crucified,  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling-block,  and  unto 
the  Greeks  foolishness :  but  unto  them  which  are  called, 
both  Jews  and  Greeks,  Christ  the  power  of  God  and  the 
wisdom  of  God."  If  there  be  any  meaning  in  language^ 
this  must  imply  that  the  apostle  in  his  ministry  dwelt 
chiefly  upon  the  work  of  Christ,  as  the  theme  of  his  dis- 
courses. His  epistles  all  sustain  this  view  of  his  meaning. 
They  are  all  full  of  this  great  subject.  We  may  perhaps 
smile  at  the  simple  piety  of  the  individual  who  was  at  the 
trouble  of  counting  the  number  of  times  that  the  apostle 
mentioned  the  name  of  Jesus  in  all  his  epistles,  but  at  the 
same  time  something  is  to  be  learnt  from  the  fact  that  he 
found  it  to  reach  between  four  and  five  hundred.  This 
teaches  us  how  thoroughly  Christian,  how  entirely  imbued 
with  evangehsm,  his  mind  and  his  writings  were.  His  mo- 
rality was  as  evangelical  as  his  doctrine,  for  he  enforced  all 
the  branches  of  social  obligation  by  motives  drawn  from 
the  cross.     His  ethics  were  all  baptized  with  the  spirit  of 

7 


74  NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS. 

the  gospel,  so  that  the  believer,  in  reading  the  writings  of 
Paul,  has  his  eye  as  constantly  kept  upon  the  crucified  one, 
in  the  progress  of  his  sanctification,  as  the  sinner's  eye  is 
turned  towards  the  same  object,  for  his  justification.  Here 
then  was  the  earnestness  of  the  apostle,  one  constant,  uni- 
form, and  undeviating  endeavor  to  save  men's  souls  by  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

A  question  now  arises  whether  it  is  the  duty  of  modern 
preachers  to  adopt  the  same  method,  and  whether,  inas- 
much as  their  ends  are  the  same  with  those  of  the  apostle, 
they  are  to  seek  them  by  the  same  means.  One  should 
suppose  there  can  be  no  rational  doubt  of  this.  If  the 
apostles  were  the  inspired  teachers  of  Christianity,  and 
have  given  us  in  tlieir  writings  a  full  exhibition  of  what 
Christianity  really  is  ;  and  if  it  is  our  business  to  explain 
and  enlbrco  their  writinofs ;  it  seems  to  follow  as  a  thino-  of 
course  that  our  teaching  as  to  the  matter  of  our  discourses 
must  resemble  theirs  :  and  will  any  one  pretend  that  this 
resemblance  can  be  established  unless  our  preaching  is 
richly  and  prevailingly  evangelical  ?  I  am  aware  it  is 
sometimes  said  that  the  times  are  altered  since  the  apostles' 
days,  and  that  the  state  of  the  world  is  different  from  what 
it  then  wns.  But  is  not  human  nature  in  all  its  essential 
elements  the  same  ?  Is  it  not  the  same  in  its  moral  aspect, 
impotency,  and  necessities  ?  Does  it  not  as  much  need, 
and  as  much  depend  upon  the  gospel  scheme,  as  it  did  then  ? 
Is  not  the  evangelical  scheme  as  accurately  adapted  to  its 
miserable  condition  as  it  was  then  ?  Can  sin  be  pardoned 
in  any  other  way  than  through  the  atonement  of  Christ ; 
or  the  sinner  be  justified  by  any  other  means  than  faith  in 
the  Lord  our  righteousness  ;  or  the  depraved  heart  be  re- 
newed and  sanctified  by  any  other  agency  than  that  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  ?     Are  not  all  the  motives  of  evangelical  doc 


NATUEE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  lb 

trine  as  adapted,  as  powerful,  and  as  efficacious  now,  as 
they  were  then?  No  alteration  of  subject  then  can  be 
called  for  now,  to  meet  the  advancing  state  of  society, 
since  the  gospel  is  intended  and  adapted  to  be  God's  in- 
strument for  the  salvation  of  man,  in  all  ages  of  the  world, 
in  all  countries,  and  in  all  states  of  society.  We  reject 
alike  the  ancient  practice  of  conforming  the  evangelical 
scheme  to  the  systems  of  philosophy,  and  the  modern 
Puseyite  notion  of  the  progressive  development  of  Chris- 
tian doctrine.  To  the  men  who  would  revive  the  former, 
we  say,  "  Beware  lest  any  man  spoil  you  through  philoso- 
phy and  vain  deceit,  after  the  traditions  of  men,  after  the 
rudiments  of  the  world,  and  not  after  Christ :"  to  the  lat- 
ter we  say,  "  Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday,  and  to-day, 
and  forever.  Be  not  carried  about  with  divers  and  strange 
doctrines  :  for  it  is  a  good  thing  for  the  heart  to  be  estab- 
lished with  grace."  It  appears  to  me  that  something  like 
the  same  attempts  are  being  made  in  this  day  to  corrupt 
the  gospel  by  superstitious  additions  on  the  one  hand,  and 
by  philosophic  accommodations  on  the  other,  as  were  car- 
ried on  in  the  early  days  of  Christianity.  Our  danger  lies 
in  the  latter. 

It  should  never  be  forgotten  that  the  time  when  the 
apostles  discharged  their  ministry  was  only  just  after  the 
Augustan  era  of  the  ancient  world.  Poetry  had  recently 
bestowed  some  of  its  golden  favors  on  the  empire  of  let- 
ters in  the  works  of  Virgil  and  Horace.  The  hght  of 
philosophy,  though  waning,  still  shed  its  lustre  on  Greece. 
The  arts,  and  their  most  splendid  creations  in  architecture, 
sculpture,  and  painting,  still  lived,  though  they  had  ceased 
to  grow.  It  was  at  such  a  time,  and  amidst  such  scenes, 
the  gospel  began  its  course.  Apostolic  voices  were  listened 
to  by  sages  and  their  pupils  who  basked  in  the  sunshine  of 


76  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

Athenian  wisdom,  and  were  reverberated  in  echo  from 
temples  and  statues  tliat  had  been  shaken  by  the  thunders 
of  Cicero  and  Demosthenes  ;  yet  these  holy  men  conceded 
nothing  to  the  demands  of  philosophy,  but  held  forth  the 
cross  as  the  only  object  they  felt  they  had  a  right  to  exhibit. 
They  never  once  conceived  such  an  idea  as  that  they  must 
accommodate  themselves  to  the  philosophy  or  the  taste  of 
the  age  in  which  tliey  lived,  and  the  places  in  which  they 
ministered.  It  is  true  the  philosophy  of  that  day  was  a 
false  one,  but  it  Avas  not  known  or  acknowledged  to  be  such 
at  the  time.  Whether  the  apostle  addressed  himself  to  the 
philoso})hers  on  Mars  Hill,  or  to  the  barbarians  in  the  island 
of  Melita ;  whether  he  reasoned  with  the  Jews  in  their  syna- 
gogues, or  with  tlie  Greeks  in  the  school  of  Tyrannus  ; 
he  had  but  one  theme,  and  that  was  Christ,  and  him  ciii- 
cified.  And  what  right,  or  what  reason,  have  we  for 
deviating  from  this  high  and  imperative  example  ?  Be  it. 
so,  that  we  are  in  a  literary,  philosophic,  and  scientific  age, 
what  then  ?  Is  it  an  age  that  has  outlived  the  need  of 
the  gospel  for  its  salvation  ;  or  to  the  salvation  of  which 
anything  else  can  supply  a  means,  but  the  gospel  ?  The 
supposition  that  something  else  than  the  gospel,  as  the 
theme  of  our  pulpit  ministrations,  is  i-equisite  for  such  a 
period  as  this,  or  that  the  gospel  must  be  presented  in  a 
more  philosophic  form,  appears  to  me  a  most  dangerous 
sentiment,  as  being  a  disparagement  to  the  gospel  itself, 
and  containing  the  very  germ  of  infidelity.  Let  the  taste 
be  cultivated  as  it  may  by  literature,  or  the  mind  be  enlight- 
ened by  science,  or  the  reason  disciplined  by  philosophy, 
the  heart  is  still  deceitful  and  wicked,  the  conscience  still 
burdened  with  guilt,  and  the  whole  soul  in  a  state  of  alien- 
ation from  God.  The  moral  constitution  is  mortally  dis- 
eased, and  nothing  but  the  gospel  is  God's  saving  health, 


NATURE    OF    3ARNESTNESS.  *f1 

which  is  as  much  required  for  the  spiritual  restoration  of 
the  pohshed  son  of  science,  as  for  that  of  tlie  savage  of 
New  Zealand,  or  the  Hottentot  of  South  Africa.  All  else 
is  but  pretence  and  empiricism ;  and  the  man  who  would 
be  in  earnest,  and  successful  in  the  salvation  of  souls,  must 
have  a  clear  conviction  and  a  deep  impression  of  these 
facts. 

But  perhaps  the  danger  to  which  the  evangehcal  ministry 
of  the  present  age  is  exposed,  is  not  so  much  a  philosophiz- 
ing spirit,  or  an  attempt  to  confoim  the  gospel  to  any  met- 
aphysical theory,  as  an  eflfort  to  attain  to  a  high  intellect- 
uality in  setting  forth  received  truths.  We  hear  a  great 
deal  about  this  in  modern  times.  It  is  become  a  kind  of 
cant  term,  (for  there  is  a  high  cant  as  well  as  a  low  one,) 
to  speak  of  some  men  as  very  intellectual  preachers.  If 
by  an  intellectual  preacher  be  meant  a  man  who  applies 
the  acquirements  of  a  vigorous  and  well- trained  under- 
standing to  explain  and  enforce  the  great  topics  of  evan- 
gelical truth  ;  or  the  application,  in  the  most  attractive 
form,  of  whatever  knowledge  such  a  mind,  in  the  pursuit 
after  information  of  all  kinds,  can  obtain,  to  the  great  end 
of  the  Christian  ministry ;  or  the  employment  of  sound 
logic  and  natural  eloquence  to  make  the  doctrines  which 
are  unto  salvation  bear  down  upon  the  heart  and  con- 
science ;  in  that  case  a  man  cannot  be  too  intellectual : 
the  great  and  glorious  doctrines  of  revealed  truth  and  life 
eternal,  deserve  and  demand  the  mightiest  energies  of  the 
noblest  intellects.  But  if,  as  is  too  generally  the  case,  this 
intellectuality  means  the  cold,  dry,  argumentative  discus- 
sion of  religious  truth,  rather  than  evangelical  subjects,  or 
even  of  the  latter  in  an  abstract  and  essay-like  form ;  a 
mere  heartless  exercise  of  the  understanding  of  the 
preacher,  and  intended  or  adapted   only  to  engage   the 


78  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

understanding  of  tlie  hearers,  without  either  interesting 
their  affections  or  awakening  their  conscience ;  such  intel- 
lectuality will  do  nothing  but  empty  the  places  of  worship 
in  which  it  is  exhibited,  or  at  best  draw  together  a  congre- 
gation of  persons  who  cannot  do  without  some  religion,  but 
who  prefer  the  cold  abstractions  of  the  head  to  the  warm 
affections  of  the  heart. 

Here  I  would  not  be  misconstrued  to  mean  that  every 
sermon  must  be  on  strictly  evangelical  themes  ;  but  that 
these  must  be  the  prevailing  topics  of  the  man  who  is  in 
earnest  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Nor  would  I  go  so  far 
as  to  say  that  each  sermon  must  contain  as  much  of  the 
gospel  as  would  make  every  hearer  of  it  acquainted  with 
the  way  of  salvation,  though  he  never  should  hsten 
to  another  discourse.  There  is  such  a  thing  as  treating 
these  subjects  so  carelessly,  so  familiarly,  and  so  fre- 
quently, as  to  deprive  them  of  all  their  power  to  interest 
and  impress.  A  man  whose  soul  is  possessed  with  the 
passion  for  doing  good,  will  make  almost  any  and  every 
topic  adapted  for  usefulness.  Subjects,  which  in  other 
hands  will  be  dry  and  uninteresting,  will  in  his  be  invested 
with  the  glow  and  the  warmth  which  live  in  his  own  soul, 
and  which  he  imparts  to  everything  he  touches.  His 
heart  beats  with  an  action  so  strong,  so  steady,  and  so 
healthful,  that  his  fervid  and  holv  intellifrence  circulates  an 
evangelical  vitality  through  what  in  others  would  be  a  cold 
and  torpid  frame,  and  thus  causes  the  principle  of  gospel 
life  to  reach  to  the  very  extremities  of  the  system  of  gene- 
ral truth.  Still  even  he,  though  he  dwell  occasionally  on 
every  topic  which  can  with  propriety  be  brought  into  the 
pulpit,  will,  like  the  apostle,  "  glory  only  in  the  cross  of 
Christ."  Resisting  the  temptations  to  neglect  a  plain 
gospel,  and  to  go  in  quest  of  airy  speculations  and  unprofit- 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  79 

able  novelties,  his  aim  will  not  be  to  gratify  tbe  imagina- 
tive by  what  is  tasteful  and  poetic,  the  philosophical  by 
what  is  profound,  the  metaphysical  by  what  is  subtle,  or 
the  curious  by  what  is  strange,  but  by  manifestation  of  the 
truth  to  commend  himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God.  Alas  that  any  preacher  of  the  gospel  should 
take  any  other  aim,  and  seek  any  other  object,  than  this ! 
Do  we  want  subjects  for  eloquence,  where  can  we  find  them 
in  such  abundance,  grandeur,  and  sublimity,  as  in  the 
gospel  scheme  ?  The  cross  is  a  fount  of  the  purest,  most 
impassioned,  and  most  pathetic  eloquence  in  the  world, 
from  which  genius  may  go  on  to  draw  its  streams  without 
ever  exhausting  it.  Compare  the  most  finished  orations 
and  sermons  of  Massillon,  Bossuet,  or  Bourdaloue,  with 
McLaurin's  discourse  on  "  Glorying  in  the  Cross  ;"  and 
though  the  former  are  more  perfect  as  models  of  composi- 
tion, more  decorated  by  all  the  artifices  and  graces  of  rhet- 
oric, yet  how  far  below  that  incomparable  sermon  in  the 
sublimity  of  its  theme,  and  the  grandeur  of  its  evangelical 
eloquence,  are  these  boasted  models  of  the  French  pulpit. 
Even  the  soul  of  Blair  kindled  into  something  like  a  glow 
of  pious  wai-mth  when  he  came,  which  he  seldom  did, 
within  the  attraction  of  this  object ;  and  though  it  was  but 
as  moonlight,  compared  with  the  ardor  of  his  colleague 
Walker,  yet  in  his  sermon  on  "  The  Death  of  Christ,"  his 
Vrigid  elegance  becomes  enlivened  by  his  theme,  and  fur- 
nishes a  standing  proof  that  the  heathen  morals  of  Epicte- 
tus  are  a  barren  source  of  eloquence,  compared  with  the 
Christian  doctrines  of  the  apostle  Paul.  I  make  no 
apology  for  requoting  a  passage  from  an  American  author 
which  I  have  already  given  to  the  public  in  my  Address 
to  Students :  "  My  dear  brethren,  why  are  we  not  more 
impressive?     Theology  affords  the  best  field  for  tender. 


80  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

solemn,  and  sublime  eloquence.  The  most  august  objects 
are  presented  •  the  most  important  interests  are  discussed  ; 
the  most  tender  motives  are  urged.  God  and  angels  ;  the 
treason  of  Satan;  the  creation,  ruin,  and  recovery  of  a 
world  ;  the  incarnation,  death,  resurrection,  and  reign  of  the 
Son  of  God ;  the  day  of  judgment ;  a  burning  universe ; 
an  eternity ;  a  heaven  and  a  hell — all  pass  before  the  eye. 
What  are  the  petty  dissensions  of  the  states  of  Greece,  or 
the  ambition  of  Philip  ;  what  are  the  plots  and  victories 
of  Rome,  or  the  treason  of  Cataline,  compared  with  this  ? 
If  ministers  were  sufficiently  quahfied  by  education,  study, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  if  they  felt  their  subject  as  much  as 
Demosthenes  and  Cicero  did,  they  would  be  the  most  elo- 
quent men  on  earth,  and  would  be  so  esteemed  wherever 
congenial  minds  were  found."* 

To  know  what  themes  contain  the  greatest  potency  over 
the  public  mind,  and  which  should  form  the  subject  of  an 
earnest  ministry,  we  have  only  to  consult  the  pages  of 
ecclesiastical  history.  It  is  unnecessary,  after  what  I  have 
already  written,  to  dwell  upon  the  matter  of  apostolic 
preaching.  It  was  by  the  purest  eva,ngelism  that  Chris- 
tianity was  planted  in  the  earth,  and  it  was  when  this  gave 
place  to  a  religion  of  foims  and  ceremonies,  that  the  power 
and  vitality  of  true  godliness  declined,  and  a  mass  of  splen- 
did corruption  grew  up,  in  the  dark  shadow  of  which  the 
man  of  sin  erected  his  throne,  and  the  Papacy  commenced 
its  bloody  reign.  During  the  long  night  of  the  middle 
ages  the  sound  of  the  faithful  preacher  was  not  heard,  and 
the  voice  of  Zion's  watchman  was  silent,  except  in  a  few 
obscure  nooks  and  corners  of  the  eartli ;  but  wherever  it 
was  tlien  heard,  the  same  effects  followed.     It  was  this 

*  Dr.  Griffin's  Sermon  on  the  Art  of  Preaching. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  Hi 

subject  with  which  Claude,  of  Turin,  when  nearij  all  the 
world  were  wondering  after  the  Beast,  awakened  in  the 
ninth  century  the  inhabitants  of  Piedmont,  and  commenced 
that  glorious  work  which  was  carried  on,  more  or  less,  for 
centuries,  amid  the  seclusion  of  Alpine  rocks  and  valleys, 
and  wliich  the  concentrated  power  and  fury  of  the  Papacy 
could  never  entirely  subvert.  It  was  this  evangelism  which 
our  WicLiFF  preaclied  in  England  in  the  fifteenth  century, 
and  by  it  kindled  a  fire,  amidst  the  smouldering  ashes  of 
which  lay  concealed  the  embers  that  were  again  to  ignite 
when  fanned  by  the  breath  of  the  reformers  a  century 
aftei- wards.  By  what  means  did  Luther  achieve  his  im- 
nportal  triumph  over  the  powers  of  the  Vatican,  and  smite 
M  the  fetters  which  had  enslaved  the  judgment,  heart, 
and  conscience  of  man  ?  By  the  potency  of  what  subject 
did  he  lift  up  into  freedom  and  dignity  the  prostrate  intel- 
lect of  the  human  race  ?  What  was  the  instrument  with 
which  he  struck  the  empire  of  darkness,  and  inflicted  a 
blow  which  resounded  through  the  civilized  world  ?  It 
was  the  great  evangehcal  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith. 
By  what  means  did  Whitfield  and  Wesley  rouse  the 
slumbering  piety  of  our  nation,  and  call  up  a  spirit  which 
is  going  on  from  strength  to  strengtli  to  tliis  day  ?  By  the 
evangelical  system  of  divine  truth.  What  called  forth 
the  missionary  enterpnse,  and  constructed  all  that  moral 
machinery  which  is  at  work  upon  the  world's  conversion  ? 
Before  what  system  of  truths  have  the  inhabitants  of  Poly- 
nesia and  New  Zealand  surrendered  their  hcentious  habits 
and  bloody  rites ;  and  the  Hottentots  and  Esquimaux 
dropped  their  barbarism,  and  risen  up  into  the  form  and 
manners  of  civilized  men  ?  What  is  the  doctrine  by  which 
-)ur  missionaries  are  taking  possession  of  India  and  China? 
[  answer  in  one  word,  the  doctrine  of  the  cross. 

4* 


82  NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS. 

Here  then  is  a  fact  attested  by  authentic  history,  and 
uncontradicted  by  any  one  who  is  acquainted  either  with 
the  present  or  the  past,  that  all  the  great  moral  revolutions 
of  our  world,  during  the  time  of  the  Christian  era,  have 
been  effected  by  one  simple  process,  by  one  set  of  means, 
— and  that  process  is  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  Prov- 
idential events  may  have  prepared  the  way  by  levelling 
mountains  and  filling  up  valleys,  and  making  smooth  the 
course  of  the  herald  of  the  cross :  but  it  was  that  herald's 
mighty  voice  proclaiming,  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which 
taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world,"  which  by  the  power 
of  God*s  Spirit  has  changed  the  moral  aspect  of  our  dark 
and  dreary  world.  All  this  has  not  been  done  by  learn- 
ing, science,  and  philosophy ;  it  is  not  the  result  of  pro- 
found speculations  on  any  theory  of  morals  or  of  fine 
processes  of  reasoning  ;  or  of  splendid  creations  of  poetic 
genius ;  or  of  the  subtleties  of  metaphysical  discussion ; 
no,  but  of  the  simple  testimony  of  the  gosple.  While  the 
philosopher  has  been  theorizing  in  liis  closet,  and  the  moral 
arithmetician  has  been  carrying  on  his  calculations  in  his 
study,  the  preacher  has  gone  forth  into  the  midst  of  the 
people,  ignorant,  wicked,  and  wretched  as  they  were,  has 
hfted  up  the  great  truth  of  a  loving  God,  a  dying  Saviour, 
and  a  regenerating  Spirit,  and  has  by  those  means,  as  an 
instrument  of  God,  changed  the  aspect  of  society,  and 
revolutionized  the  moral  habits  of  tlie  nations. 

Strang-e  that  with  the  knowledge  of  these  facts,  any  of 
our  preachers  should  think  of  substituting  these  glorious 
truths,  which  have  wrought  such  wonders  in  the  world,  ])y 
any  other  themes  ;  or  should  act  as  if  weapons  that  had 
proved  their  adaptation  and  their  power,  should  be  wielded 
now  with  a  doubtful  mind,  and  with  a  hesitating  hand.  If 
we  would  know  how  we  are  to  convert  souls  to  God,  we 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  83 

have  only  to  ask,  how  has  God  converted  them  ?  Nor  is  it 
necessary  to  go  back  to  past  ages,  or  abroad  to  other  coun- 
tries. Let  us  only  look  round  upon  our  own  countiy ;  let 
us  go  to  our  largest  congregations  and  our  most  numerous 
churches,  and  ask  what  kind  of  preaching  has  done  all  this  ; 
what  doctrine,  and  how  handled,  has  drawn  this  multitude 
together  ;  what  magnet  has  put  forth  its  attractions  here  ? 
And  the  secret  is  soon  discovered,  and  it  will  be  found 
that  here  is  an  exemplification  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ's 
words,  *'  And  I,  if  I  be  lifted  up,  will  draw  all  men  unto 
me."  Gro  into  other  places  where  an  evangelical  intellect- 
uality is  substituted  for  the  vital  truths  of  the  gospel; 
where  philosophical  abstractions  take  the  place  of  popular 
addresses  on  great  fundamental  doctrines,  and  cold,  logical 
essays  are  read,  instead  of  heart-stirring  sermons  being 
preached  ;  and  the  attenuated  and  still  declining  congre- 
gations proclaim  the  want  of  adaptation  in  the  pulpit  min- 
istrations, and  prove  that  for  the  popular  mind  there  can  be 
no  substitute  for  the  cross  of  Christ.  Nor  does  this  apply 
exclusively  to  the  uneducated,  or  partially  educated  classes. 
Human  nature  in  all  its  prevailing  features,  tastes,  necessi- 
ties, and  enjoyments,  is  the  same  in  the  king  and  in  the 
peasant ;  in  the  savage  and  the  sage.  All  men  are  made 
susceptible  of  emotion,  as  well  as  capable  of  feeling  ;  and 
all  men  love  to  feel,  as  well  as  to  think.  A  tradesman,  or 
professional  man,  who  has  been  at  work  all  the  week,  hav- 
ing had  his  mind  strained  with  hard  tliinking,  as  well  as  his 
body  by  hard  labor,  when  he  takes  his  seat  in  his  pew  on 
a  Sabbath  morning,  wants  something  for  his  heart,  as  well 
as  for  his  head.  With  a  sermon,  however  intellectual  it 
may  be,  which  has  nothing  that  comes  home  to  his  affec- 
tions, and  causes  him  to  feel,  he  is  sure  to  be  disappointed 
and   dissatisfied.     A   dry  essay  on  some  gospel  subject^ 


84  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

which  only  proves  a  point  he  never  doubted,  or  starts  a 
difficulty  he  never  dreamt  of,  is  Uke  giving  him  a  stone 
when  he  asks  for  bread.  He  wants  to  be  made  to  feel 
there  is  something  higher  and  better  than  this  world.  He 
desires  to  enjoy  the  luxury  of  hallowed  emotion,  he  covets 
the  joy  and  peace  of  believing,  and  the  anticipations  of 
that  world,  where  the  weary  are  at  rest,  and  the  din  of 
business  will  be  forever  hushed.  That  man,  tired  and 
jaded  by  the  cares,  anxieties,  and  toils  of  six  days,  wants 
to  lie  down  and  take  repose  on  the  soft  green  of  evangeli- 
cal truth,  and  not  on  the  hard  rocks  of  abstract  specula- 
tion. It  is  true,  that  being  a  man  of  education  and  read- 
ing, his  heart  must  be  reached  through  his  intellect,  and 
though  it  must  be  the  substantial  bread  of  evangelical  truth 
with  which  he  is  fed,  yet  it  must  not  be  coarse  or  chaffy ; 
it  must  not  only  be  prepared  and  made  of  the  finest  of  the 
wheat,  but  it  must  also  be  well  mixed,  and  made  pala- 
table to  a  refined  taste  by  a  skilful  hand. 

Before  I  pass  from  this  part  of  the  subject,  it  may  be 
proper  to  remark  that  perhaps  there  are  few  expressions 
more  misunderstood,  and  on  which  more  mistakes  have 
been  made,  than  "  'preaching  the  gospel.'^  Many  by  the 
use  of  this  phrase  aim  to  exclude  from  the  pulpit  almost 
every  topic  but  a  perpetual  and  almost  unvarying  exhibi- 
tion of  the  death  of  our  Lord,  and  consider  this  specifi- 
cally, and  this  only,  as  preaching  Christ.  But  it  is  strange- 
ly forgotten  by  the  preachers  of  this  school,  that  as  the 
scheme  of  mediation  by  the  Saviour  is  founded  on  the  eter- 
nal obligation  and  immutable  nature  of  the  law  of  God, 
and  was  intended,  not  to  subvert,  but  to  uphold  its  author- 
ity, the  moral  law  must  be  explained  and  enforced,  in  all 
its  purity,  spirituality,  and  extent.  Repentance  towards 
God  is  no  less  included  in  the  apostolic  ministry,  than  faith 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  85 

in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  and  how  can  a  sinner  repent  of 
his  transgressions  against  the  law,  if  he  know  not  the  law 
he  has  violated?  for  *'sin  is  the  transgression  of  the  law;" 
and  "  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of  sin."  So  that  no  man 
can  know  sin  without  knowing  the  law  ;  and  herein  appears 
to  me  one  of  the  prevailing  defects  of  modern  preaching, 
I  mean  the  neglect  of  holding  up  this  perfect  mirror,  in 
which  the  sinner  shall  see  reflected  his  own  moral  image. 
It  is  true  that  some  are  melted  down  at  once  into  a  sense 
of  wickedness,  and  brought  to  the  exercise  of  both  repent- 
ance and  faith,  by  an  exhibition  of  divine  love  in  the  death 
of  Christ ;  but  I  do  not  think  this  is  so  usual  a  method  of 
conversion  as  the  first  awakening  of  the  sinner  by  an  expo- 
sition and  application  of  the  perfect  law.  Dr.  Dwight 
says,  "  Few,  very  few,  are  ever  awakened  or  convinced  by 
the  encouragements  and  promises  of  the  gospel :  but 
almost  all  by  the  denunciations  of  the  law.  The  blessings 
of  immortality,  the  glories  of  heaven,  are  usually,  to  say 
the  least,  preached  with  little  efficacy  to  an  assembly  of 
sinners.  I  have  been  surprized  to  see  how  dull,  inatten- 
tive, and  sleepy  such  an  assembly  has  been,  amidst  the 
strongest  representations  of  these  divine  subjects,  combin- 
ing the  most  viAdd  images  with  a  vigorous  style  and  an  im- 
pressive elocution."*  This  is  a  strong  testimony,  but  it  is 
perhaps  a  little  overstated.  Still  I  am  persuaded  there  is 
much  truth  in  it,  for  it  seems  to  stand  by  reason,  that  men 
will  care  httle  about  pardon  till  they  are  convinced  of  sin, 
and  as  the  apostle  says,  it  is  by  the  law  that  they  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  sin.  In  this  particular  there  appears  to 
me  a  superior  adaptation  in  the  American  preaching  to  the 
work  of  conviction,  than   in  the  British  pulpit ;    there  is 

♦  Vol.  II.,  p.  417. 


86  NATURE    C)F    EARNESTNESS. 

raore  of  this  exposition  of  the  law,  and  of  the  application 
of  it  to  the  sinner's  conscience  more  that  is  calculated  to 
make  liim  feel  at  once  his  obligations  and  his  guilt ;  more 
of  that  which  silences  his  excuses,  unravels  the  deceitful- 
ness  of  his  heart,  strips  him  of  self-righteousness,  make« 
him  thoroughly  acquainted  with  himself  and  his  entire  need 
of  a  Saviour ;  in  short,  more  of  what  the  apostle  calls  com- 
mending himself  to  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God.  With  this,  however,  is  I  think  associated  a  want  of 
evangelical  fulness  and  tenderness.  I  remember  a  discus- 
sion, by  a  large  company  of  ministers  in  ni}^  vestry,  on 
one  occasion,  as  to  what  style  of  preaching  had  been  found 
in  their  own  experience  to  be  most  useful ;  and  it  was  pretty 
generally  admitted,  and  some  of  them  had  been  among 
our  most  successful  pieachers,  that  sermons  on  alarming 
and  impressive  texts  had  been  most  blessed  in  producing 
conviction  of  sin,  and  first  concern  about  salvation.  At  the 
same  time  it  must  be  recollected,  that  though  descriptions 
of  sin  may  affect — exhibiting  the  consequences  of  it  may 
affright — vehement  censures  of  it  may  alarm — reasoning 
concerning  it  may  open  the  gloomy  road  to  despair — this 
alone  will  not  convert.  Law  without  gospel  will  harden, 
as  gospel  without  law  will  only  lead  to  carelessness  and 
presumption :  it  is  the  union  of  both  that  will  possess  the 
sinner  with  a  loathing  of  himself,  and  love  lo  God.  Still 
our  danger  in  this  age  lies  not  so  much  in  neglecting  the 
gospel,  as  in  omitting  to  associate  with  this  the  preaching 
of  the  law.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  Jesus  Christ,  who 
was  incarnate  love  itself,  the  li\dng  gospel,  yea,  the  way, 
the  truth,  the  life,  was  the  most  alarming  preacher  that 
was  ever  in  our  world.  It  is,  however,  especially  incum- 
bent upon  us  not  to  mistake  grossness  for  fidelity,  nor 
harshness  for  earnestness.  The  remarks  of  Mr.  Hall  on  this, 


NATURE    OF   EARNESTNESS.  87 

are  as  correct  as  they  are  beautiful.  "  A  harsh  and  unfeel- 
ing manner  of  denouncing  the  threatenings  of  the  word  of 
God,  is  not  only  barbarous  and  inhuman,  but  calculated,  by 
inspiring  disgust,  to  rob  them  of  all  their  efficiency.  If 
the  awful  part  of  our  message,  which  may  be  styled  the 
burden  of  the  Lord,  ever  fall  with  due  weight  upon  our 
hearers,  it  will  be  when  it  is  delivered  with  a  trembling 
hand,  and  faltering  hps."  The  look,  the  tone,  the  action, 
when  such  subjects  are  discussed,  should  be  a  mixture  of 
solemnity  and  affection — the  awfulness  of  love.  To  hear 
such  topics  dwelt  upon  in  strong  language,  vehement 
action,  and  boisterous  tones,  strikes  us  as  being  an  utter 
violation  of  all  propriety,  and  in  every  hearer  of  the  least 
discernment,  is  likely  to  excite  horror  and  revulsion.  Real 
earnestness  is  the  result  of  deep  emotion,  and  the  emotion 
excited  by  the  sight  of  a  fellow-creature  perishing  in  his 
sins  is  that  of  the  tenderest  commiseration,  which  will 
express  itself,  not  in  stormy  declamation  and  thundering 
denunciations,  but  of  solemnly  chastened  expostulation  and 
appeal. 


CHAPTER  ly. 

NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS    C0NTINT7ED. 

EARNESTNESS    IN    REFERENCE    TO    MANNER, 

I  NOW  pass  from  matter  to  manner ;  and  when  I  say 
manner,  I  wish  to  be  understood  as  including  in  that  term, 
not  simply  the  method  of  communicating  truth  by  voice  and 
gesture,  but  the  cast  of  thought  and  the  style  of  composi- 
tion in  reference  to  the  tmth  so  enunciated  ;  and  what  is 
wanted  for  the  pulpit  is  a  vivacious,  in  opposition  to  a 
stiflF,  formal,  and  dull  method.  Style  must  of  course  to  a 
considerable  extent  vary  with  the  subject  matter,  and  be 
regulated  by  it.  In  exegetical  preaching,  or  in  that  part 
of  a  sermon  which  is  merely  expository,  all  that  is  re- 
quired, and  what  is  required,  is  a  calm  perspicuity,  a  flow 
of  clear,  limpid,  quiet  thought,  which  shall  instruct  the 
understanding,  and  gently  draw  after  it  the  heart,  without 
being  expected  to  move,  in  any  great  degree,  the  passions. 
We  have  some  beautiful  specimens  of  this  in  the  elegant 
discourses  of  Dr.  Wardlaw.  Well  would  it  be  if,  after  his 
manner,  we  could  be  critical  without  being  pedantic ;  exe- 
getical without  being  scholastic ;  and  invest  exposition  with 
charms  which  should  make  it  attractive  to  all  our  congre- 
gations. But  though  a  careful  analysis  of  the  text  should 
be  the  basis  of  almost  all  our  sermons,  there  needs  some- 
thing more  than  mere  exegesis,  however  clear  or  correct. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  89 

We  have  to  do  not  only  with  a  dark  intellect  that  needs 
to  be  instructed,  but  with  a  hard  heart  that  needs  to  be 
impressed,  and  a  torpid  conscience  that  needs  to  be 
awakened  ;  and  have  to  make  our  hearers  feel  that  in  the 
great  business  of  religion,  there  is  much  to  be  done,  as 
well  as  much  to  be  known.  We  must  give  knowledge,  for 
light  is  as  essential  to  the  growth  of  piety  in  the  spiritual 
world,  as  it  is  to  the  growth  of  vea^etation  in  the  natural 
one  :  and  then  the  analogy  holds  good  in  another  point, 
for  we  must  not  only  let  in  light  but  add  great  and  vigor- 
ous labor  to  carry  on  the  culture.  We  must,  therefore, 
rise  from  exegesis  into  exhortation,  warning,  and  expostu- 
lation. The  apostle's  manner  is  the  right  one, — "  Whom 
we  preach,  warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every  man, 
that  we  may  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus." 
There  must  not  only  be  the  directive,  but  the  impulsive 
manner.  All  our  hearers  know  far  more  of  the  Bible 
than  they  practice  :  the  head  is  far  in  advance  of  the 
heart;  and  our  great  business  is  to  persuade,  to  entreat, 
to  beseech.  We  have  to  leal  with  a  dead,  heavy  vis  in- 
ertice  of  mind  ;  yea  more,  we  have  to  overcome  a  stout 
resistance,  and  to  move  a  reluctant  heart.  If  all  that  was 
necessary  to  secure  the  ends  of  our  ministry  was  to  lay  the 
truth  open  to  the  mind  ;  if  the  heart  were  already  predis- 
posed to  the  subject  of  our  preaching,  then,  like  the  lec- 
turer on  science,  we  might  dispense  with  the  hortatory 
manner,  and  coniSne  ourselves  exclusively  to  explanation: 
logic,  unaccompanied  by  rhetoric,  would  suffice.  But 
when  we  find  in  every  sinner  we  address,  an  individual 
acting  in  opposition  to  the  dictates  of  his  judgment,  and 
the  warnings  of  his  conscience,  as  well  as  to  the  testimony 
of  Sciipture ;  an  individual  who  is  sacrificing  the  interests 
of  his  immortal  -SOul  to  the  vanities  of  the  world,  and  the 


90  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

corruptions  of  his  heart ;  an  individual  who  is  madly  bent 
upon  his  ruin,  and  rushing  to  the  precipice  from  which  he 
will  take  his  fatal  leap  into  perdition ;  can  we  in  that  case 
be  satisfied  with  merely  explaining,  however  clearly,  and 
demonstrating,  however  conclusively,  the  truth  of  revela- 
tion ?  To  borrow  the  allusion  which  I  have  already  made, 
should  we  think  it  enough,  coldly  to  unfold  the  sin  of  sui- 
cide, and  logically  to  arrange  the  proofs  of  its  criminality, 
before  the  man  who  had  in  his  hand  the  pistol  or  the  poi- 
son with  which  he  was  just  about  to  destroy  himself? 
Would  exegesis,  however  clear  and  accurate,  be  enough  in 
this  case  ?  Should  we  not  entreat,  expostulate,  beseech  ? 
Should  we  not  lay  hold  of  the  arm  uplifted  for  destruction, 
and  snatch  the  poison  cup  from  the  hand  that  was  about 
to  apply  it  to  the  lips?  What  is  the  case  with  the  impeni- 
tent sinners  to  whom  we  preach,  but  that  of  indi\aduals 
bent  upon  self-destruction,  not  indeed  the  present  destruc- 
tion of  their  bodies,  but  of  their  souls  ?  There  they  are  be- 
fore our  eyes,  rushing  in  their  sins  and  their  impenitence  to 
the  precipice  that  overhangs  he  pit  of  destruction;  and 
shall  we  content  ourselves  with  sermons,  however  excellent 
for  elegance,  for  logic,  for  perspicuity,  and  even  for  evan- 
gelism, but  which  have  no  hortatory  power,  no  restraining 
tendency,  none  of  the  apostle's  beseeching  entreaty  ?  Shall 
we  merely  lecture  on  theology,  and  deal  out  religious 
science,  to  men  who,  amidst  a  flood  of  light  already  pour- 
ing over  them,  care  for  none  of  these  things  ? 

It  is  a  question  of  not  a  little  difficulty,  how  far  the 
usual  rules  and  qualities  of  secular  eloquence  may  be  car- 
ried out  in  the  composition  of  our  sermons.  The  language 
of  the  apostle,  in  reference  to  hi«  own  preaching,  has  been 
thought  to  forbid  all  elaboration, — "  Christ  sent  me  to 
preach  the  gospel,  not  with  wisdom   of  words    lest  the 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  91 

cross  of  Christ  should  be  made  of  none  effect."  A  right 
understanding  of  his  circumstances  and  ours,  will  show  us 
that  there  are  differences  which  forbid  too  rigid  and  literal 
an  apphcation  of  this  sentiment  to  us.  Miracles  gave  a 
potency  to  his  preaching,  which  is  wanting,  of  course,  in 
ours.  Besides,  the  w^isdom  here  forbidden  was  not  the 
selection  of  the  best  words,  and  placing  them  in  the  best 
order  for  the  statement  of  divine  truth,  but  that  combina- 
tion of  false  philosophy  and  artificial  rhetoric,  which  was 
the  usual  practice  of  the  Grecian  schools  ;  in  short,  he 
forbade  such  a  method  of  setting  forth  evangelical  doctrine 
as  would  have  brought  it  into  conformity,  both  as  to  mat- 
ter and  manner,  with  the  fashionable  systems  of  philoso- 
phy. Provided  the  elaboration  is  carried  on  with  a  view 
to  make  the  sermon  at  once  perspicuous  and  impressive, 
to  give  it  power  to  command  the  attention,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  to  instruct  the  judgment,  engage  the  affections, 
and  awaken  the  conscience  ;  to  render  the  subject  clearly 
understood  and  deeply  felt,  it  cannot  be  too  perfectly  done. 
No  elaboration  which  causes  the  hearer  to  forget  the 
preacher,  and  even  the  sermon  as  a  production  of  art,  and 
to  think  only  of  himself  and  the  subject ;  which  rivets 
attention,  and  makes  every  one  feel  that  he  is  in  the  pres- 
ence, not  only  of  man,  but  of  God ;  which  lays  open  the 
way  of  salvation  so  clearly  that  the  most  obtuse  under- 
standing shall  comprehend  it,  and  at  the  same  time,  so  forci- 
bly that  the  dullest  heart  shall  feel  it,  cannot  be  wrong.  If 
a  preacher  of  the  power  of  Demosthenes  were  to  arise,  he 
would,  and  must,  carry  that  power  into  the  pulpit,  and 
ought  to  do  so.  But,  on  the  other  hand,  an  elaboration 
that  is  betrayed  in  every  part  of  the  discourse,  and  which 
makes  it  but  too  evident  to  any  serious  or  observant  mind, 
that  it  was  the  preacher's  aim,  not  to  convert  souls,  but  to 


92  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

catch  applause  ;  which,  in  the  view  of  the  fashionable,  the 
giddy,  and  the  frivolous,  entitles  the  sermonizer  to  the 
highest  rank  among  pulpit  orators;  which  fills  the  dis- 
course with  flowery  diction  and  gaudy  metaphors,  with 
elegant  declamation,  and  fanciful  descriptions,  with  taste- 
ful addresses,  and  beautiful  pictures  ;  which,  though  it 
takes  the  cross  for  its  subject,  almost  instantly  leaves  it, 
and  runs  out  into  the  fields  of  poesy,  or  the  labyrinths  of 
metaphysics,  for  its  subtle  arguments  or  its  sparkhng  and 
splendid  illustrations  ;  which,  to  sum  up  all,  engages  the 
judgment  or  amuses  the  imagination,  but  never  moves  the 
heart,  or  calls  the  conscience  to  discharge  its  severe  and 
awful  functions — such  preaching  may  render  a  minister 
popular,  secure  him  large  congregations,  and  procure  for 
him  the  plaudits  of  the  multitude  ;  but  where  are  the  sin- 
ners converted  from  the  error  of  their  way,  and  the  souls 
saved  from  death?  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  if  such  a 
preacher  has  his  reward  only  in  the  applause  of  the  multi- 
tude, whose  object  and  aim  were  as  low  as  his  own — it 
was  what  he  sought,  and  all  he  sought,  and  let  him  not 
complain  if  he  have  this,  and  nothing  else.  From  such 
preachers  may  God  Almighty  preserve  our  churches,  and 
may  he  give  us  men  who  better  know  their  business  in  the 
pulpit,  and  better  do  it. 

SimpUcity  of  style,  then,  as  opposed  to  the  artificial  and 
rhetorical,  is  essential  to  earnestness  ;  for  who  can  believe 
that  man  to  be  intent  on  saving  souls,  who  seems  to 
have  labored  in  the  study  only  to  make  his  sermon  as  fine 
as  glitterhig  imagery  and  high-sounding  diction  could  ren- 
der it  ?  I  could  as  soon  believe  a  physician  were  intent  on 
saving  his  fellow  creatures  from  death,  who,  when  the 
plague  was  sweeping  them  into  the  grave,  spent  his  time 
in  studying  to  vvite  his  prescriptions  in  beautifu.  charac- 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS,  93 

ters,  and  classical  latinity.  There  are  some  judicious 
remarks  on  the  style  of  the  pulpit  in  two  papers  which 
came  out  some  time  since,  one  in  the  Edinburgh  Review, 
and  the  other  in  the  Quarterly,  on  Hare's  "  Village  Ser- 
mons," those  admirable  models  of  simphcity. 

The  object  of  the  reviewer  in  the  Quarterly  is  to  illustrate 
the  nature,  to  prove  the  necessity,  and  to  urge  the  culti- 
vation of  simplicity,  especially  in  those  sermons  which  are 
addressed  to  congregations  which  are  composed  in  great 
measure  of  the  poor.  After  giving  a  quotation  or  two  in 
which  Mr,  Hare  had  made  mention  of  "  smugglers  and 
poachers,"  "te-a  and  wheaten  bread,"  the  critic  remarks: 

"  We  have  preachers  in  our  time  who  would  have  flinched  from 
expressions  so  natural  and  straight-forward,  and  would  infallibly 
have  warned  their  poor  people  against  holding  any  intercourse 
with  the  nocturnal  marauder  on  the  main  or  the  manor ;  and  have 
suggested  to  them  the  gratitude  they  owed  for  a  fragrant  bever- 
age and  farinaceous  food.  And  so  might  Mr.  Hare,  if  his  taste 
had  been  less  correct,  and  his  desire  of  doing  good  less  earnest. 
Affectation  is  bad  enough  anywhere  ;  in  the  pulpit  it  is  intolera- 
ble." 

In  speaking  of  illustrations,  the  writer  goes  on  to  advert 
to  the  excessive  quaintness  which  was  one  of  the  vices  of 
sermons  before  and  about  the  time  of  the  Reformation : 

"  Accordingly,  within  a  century  after  the  Reformation  we  find 
Thomas  Fuller,  the  last  man,  from  natural  temperament,  one 
would  have  thought  likely  to  offer  a  caution  upon  such  a  subject, 
saying  of  the  faithful  minister,  '  His  smiles  and  illustrations  are 
always  familiar,  never  contemptible.  Indeed  reasons  are  the  pil- 
lars of  the  fabric  of  a  sermon,  but  similitudes  are  the  windows 
which  give  the  best  light.  He  avoids  such  stories  whose  men- 
tion may  suggest  bad  thoughts  to  the  auditors,  and  will  not  use 
Gi  light  comparison  to  make  thereof  a  grave  application,  for  fear 


94  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

lest  his  poison  go  further  than  his  antidote.'  Preaching,  there- 
fore, now  took  an  opposite  tack,  and  from  having  been  certainly 
once  too  succulent,  by  the  time  of  John  Wesley  had  become  sap- 
less. This  was  one  cause  which  rendered  the  new  style  of 
preaching  adopted  by  him  and  his  followers  so  attractive.  The 
standard,  according  to  which  the  character  of  the  imagery  and 
diction  of  the  pulpit  of  modern  days  was  regulated,  was  not  fixed 
before  the  divines  of  Queen  Ann's  time ;  as  the  vocabulary  of 
poetry,  according  to  Johnson,  was  not  determined  before  the  age 
of  Dryden.  In  both  cases  the  restraint  has  been  injurious  to  the 
subject  of  it.  There  was  a  Doric  simplicity — '  wood-notes  wild,' 
— in  the  poets  before  Dryden,  for  which  the  greater  correctness, 
it  may  be,  of  those  who  have  since  lived,  is  but  a  poor  substitute  ; 
and  there  was  a  homely  vigor  in  the  sentiments  and  phraseology 
of  the  pulpit  of  the  first  and  second  Charles,  which  has  been  ill 
replaced  by  the  decorous  tameness  of  later  times.  Surely  it  is  a 
morbid  taste,  and  one  that  requires  correction,  which  would  kick 
at  images  that  satisfied  a  Barrow  ;  and  yet  we  could  point  to 
numbers  in  his  sermons  which  would  nov^^  be  rejected  by  the 
preacher,  even  the  village  preacher  too,  as  mean  and  pedestrian. 
The  familiar  illustrations,  therefore,  by  which  a  subject  is  ren- 
dered clear  to  persons  slow  to  apprehend,  and  interesting  to  per- 
sons hard  to  be  excited,  is  a  figure  not  lightly  to  be  renounced  in 
deference  to  the  false  refinement  of  the  magnates  of  a  congrega- 
tion— though  doubtless  capable  of  abuse.  We  say  false  refine- 
ment, for  there  are  parables  both  in  the  prophets  and  in  the 
gospels,  against  which  the  same  parties  might  raise  the  same 
objections."* 

In  a  similar  strain,  and  with  a  like  object,  though  with 
still  more  expansion  of  thought,  a  masterly  writer  in  the 
Edinburgh  Review  remarks  : 

"  We  have  long  felt  that  the  eloquence  of  the  pulpit  in  its  gen- 
eral character  has  never  been  assimilated  so  far  as  it  might  have 


*  Quarterly  Review,  Article  II.,  No.  117. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  95 

been,  and  ought  to  have  been,  to  that  which  has  produced  the 
greatest  effects  elsewhere,  and  which  is  shown  to  be  of  the  right 
kind,  ahke  by  the  success  which  has  attended  it,  and  by  an  analy- 
sis of  the  qualities  by  which  it  has  been  distinguished.  If  we 
were  compelled  to  give  a  brief  definition  of  the  truest  style  of 
eloquence,  we  should  say  it  was  '  practical  reasoning,  animated 
by  strong  emotion  ;'  or,  if  we  might  be  indulged  in  what  is  rather 
a  description  than  a  definition  of  it,  we  should  say  that  it  consisted 
in  reasoning  on  topics  calculated  to  inspire  a  common  interest, 
expressed  in  the  language  of  ordinary  life,  and  in  that  brief, 
rapid,  familiar  style,  which  natural  emotion  ever  assumes.  The 
former  haff  of  this  description  would  condemn  no  small  portion 
of  the  compositions  called  sermons,  and  the  latter  half  a  still 
larger  portion. 

"  We  would  not  be  misunderstoood.  It  is  far — ^very  far — from 
our  intention  to  speak  in  terms  of  the  slighest  depreciation  of 
the  immense  treasures  of  learning,  of  acute  disquisition,  of  pro- 
found speculation,  of  powerful  controversy,  which  the  literature 
of  the  English  pulpit  exemplifies.  In  these  points  it  cannot  be 
surpassed.  In  vigor  and  originality  of  thought,  in  argumentative 
power,  in  extensive  and  varied  erudition,  it  as  far  transcends  all 
other  literature  of  the  same  kind,  as  it  is  deficient  in  the  qualities 
which  are  fitted  to  produce  popular  impression.  We  merely  as- 
sert that  the  greater  part  of  '  sermons'  are  not  at  all  entitled  to 
the  name,  if  by  it  be  meant  discourses  specially  adapted  to  the 
object  of  instructing,  convincing,  or  persuading  the  common 
mind.'''' 

After  some  admirably  judicious  remarks  on  the  topics  of 
the  pulpit,  designed  to  prove  that  these  should  be  such  as 
are  calculated  to  inspire  a  common  interest  in  the  mass  of 
a  common  audience,  the  writer  goes  on  to  speak  of  the 
manner  of  discussing  them,  and  observes  : 

"  Where  the  topics  are  not  such  as  are  fairly  open  to  cen- 
sure, a  large  class  of  preachers,  especially  amongst  the  young, 
grievously  err  by  investing  them  with  the  technicalities  of  science 


96  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

and  philosophy  ;  either  because  they  fooUshly  sup})ose  they  there- 
by give  their  compositions  a  more  pliilosopliical  air,  or  because 
they  disdain  the  homely  and  the  vulgar.  We  remember  hearing 
of  a  wortiiy  man  of  this  class,  who,  having  occasion  to  tell  his 
audience  the  simple  truth  that  there  was  not  one  gospel  for  the 
rich,  and  another  for  the  poor,  informed  them, '  that  if  they  would 
not  be  saved  on  general  principles,'  they  could  not  be  saved  at 
all !  With  such  men  it  is  not  sufficient  to  say,  that  such  and 
such  a  thing  must  be,  but  there  is  always  '  a  moral  and  physical 
necessity  for  it.'  The  '  will '  is  too  old-fashioned  a  thing  to  be 
mentioned,  and  everything  is  done  by  '  volition  ;'  duty  is  expanded 
into  '  moral  obligation  ;'  man  not  only  ought  to  do  this,  that,  or 
the  other,  it  is  always  '  by  some  principle  of  their  moral  nature  ;' 
they  not  only  like  to  do  so  and  so,  but '  they  are  impelled  by  some 
natural  propensity  ;'  men  not  on\y  think  and  do,  but  they  are  never 
represented  as  thinking  and  doing  without  some  parade  of  their 
'  intellectual  processes  and  active  powers.'  Such  discourses  are 
full  of  '  moral  beauty,'  and  '  necessary  relations,'  and  '  philosophi- 
cal demonstrations,'  and  '•  laws  of  nature,'  and  a  priori  and  a 
fortiori  arguments.  If  some  simple  fact  of  physical  science  is 
referred  to  in  the  way  of  argument  or  illustration,  it  cannot  be 
presented  in  common  language,  but  must  be  exiiibited  in  the 
pomp  of  the  most  approved  scientific  technicalities.  If  there  b^ 
a  common  and  scientific  name  for  the  same  object,  ten  to  one  that 
the  latter  is  adopted.  Heat  straightway  becomes  '  caloric  ;'  light- 
ning, '  the  electric  fluid ;'  instead  of  plants  and  animals,  we  are 
surrounded  by  '  organized  substances ;'  life  is  nothing  half  so  good 
as  '  the  vital  principle.'  Not  only  is  such  language  as  this  ob- 
scurely understood,  or  not  understood  at  all,  but  even  if  perfectly 
understood,  must  necessarily  be  far  less  effective  than  those  sim- 
ple terms  of  common  life,  which  for  the  most  part  may  be  substi- 
tuted for  them.  The  sermons  of  Augustus  William  Hare 
may  serve  to  show  how  the  abstract  terms  of  philosophy  may  be 
advantageously  translated  into  simple,  racy  English."* 


Edinburgh  Review^  No.  145.    On  the  British  Pulpit. 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  9*1 

So  bamionious  are  the  judgments  on  the  best  style  of 
preaching  of  two  writers,  belonging  to  very  different  schools 
of  literature  and  religion,  whose  keen  sarcasm  it  may  be 
hoped  will  correct  the  pedantry  at  wliicli  it  is  aimed,  and 
convince  many  an  ambitious  aspirant  after  popularity,  that 
whatever  may  be  the  method  which  will  secure  the  ap- 
plause of  the  frivolous  and  the  ignorant,  simplicity  is  the 
only  way  to  usefulness  and  to  secure  the  appi'obation  of 
the  serious,  the  wise,  and  the  good.  An  affectation  of 
learning  and  science  in  the  pulpit  is  not  only  a  sin  against 
good  taste,  but  betrays  an  utter  want  of  that  watching  for 
immortal  souls,  which  is,  or  ought  to  be,  the  preacher's 
steady  and  constant  aim.  To  borrow  the  homely,  but  for- 
cible language  of  Doolittle, — 

"  The  eyeing  of  eternity  should  make  us  ministers  painful  and 
diligent  in  our  studies  to  prepare  a  message  of  such  weight  as  we 
come  about,  when  preaching  to  men  concerning  everlasting  mat- 
ters, and  should  especially  move  us  to  be  plain  in  our  speech, 
that  even  the  capacity  of  the  weakest  in  the  congregation,  that 
hath  an  eternal  soul,  that  must  be  damned,  or  saved,  migiit  un- 
derstand in  things  necessary  to  salvation,  what  we  mean,  and 
aim,  and  drive  at.  It  hath  made  me  tremble  to  hear  some  soar 
aloft,  that  knowing  men  might  know  their  parts,  whilst  the  meaner 
sort  are  kept  from  the  knowledge  of  it ;  and  put  their  matter  in 
such  a  dress  of  words,  in  such  a  style  so  composed,  that  the  most 
stand  looking  at  the  preacher  in  the  face,  and  hear  a  sound,  but 
know  not  what  he  saith,  and  while  he  doth  pretend  to  feed  them, 
doth  indeed  starve  them.  Would  a  man  of  any  bowels  of  com- 
passion go  from  a  prince  to  a  condemned  man,  and  tell  him  in 
such  a  language  that  he  should  not  understand,  the  condition  upon 
which  the  prince  would  pardon  him,  and  then  the  poor  man  lose 
his  life  because  the  proud  and  haughty  messenger  must  show  his 
knack  in  delivering  his  message  in  Jine  English,  which  the  con- 
demned man  could  not  understand  ?" 


06  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

I  shall  not  inappropriately  introduce  here  a  quotation 
from  that  great  master  of  chaste  eloquence,  Robert  Hall, 
whose  opinion  on  any  subject,  but  especially  on  that  of  the 
art  of  preaching,  in  which  he  was  himself  so  extraordinary 
a  proficient,  is  entitled  to  peculiar  deference : 

"  A  great  diversity  of  talents  must  be  expected  to  be  found 
among  them,  (the  evangelical  clergy ;)  but  it  has  not  been  our 
lot  to  hear  of  any,  whose  labors  a  good  man  would  think  it  right 
to  treat  with  indiscriminate  contempt.  As  they  are  called,  for  the 
most  part,  to  address  the  middle  and  lower  classes  of  society,  their 
language  is  plain  and  simple  ;  speaking  in  the  presence  of  God, 
their  address  is  solemn ;  and, '  as  becomes  the  ambassadors  of 
Christ,'  their  appeals  to  the  conscience  are  close  and  cogent. 
Few,  if  any  among  them,  aspire  to  the  praise  of  consummate 
orators — a  chaiacter  which  we  despair  of  every  seeing  associated, 
in  high  perfection,  with  that  of  a  Christian  teacher.  The  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel  is  called  to  declare  the  testimony  of  God,  which 
is  always  weakened  by  a  profuse  employment  of  the  ornaments 
of  secular  eloquence.  Those  exquisite  paintings,  and  nice  touches 
of  art,  in  which  the  sermons  of  the  French  preachers  excel  so 
much,  excite  a  kind  of  attention,  and  produce  a  species  of  pleas- 
ure, not  in  perfect  accordance  with  devotional  feeling.  The 
imagination  is  too  much  excited  and  employed,  not  to  interfere 
with  the  more  awful  functions  of  conscience  ;  the  hearer  is  ab- 
sorbed in  admiration,  and  the  exercise  which  ought  to  be  an  in- 
strument of  conviction,  becomes  a  feast  of  taste.  In  the  hand 
of  a  Massillon,  the  subject  of  death  itself  is  blended  with  so 
many  associations  of  the  most  delicate  kind,  and  calls  up  so  many 
sentiments  of  natural  tenderness,  as  to  become  a  source  of  the- 
atrical amusement,  rather  than  of  religious  sensibility.  Without 
being  insensible  to  the  charms  of  eloquence,  it  is  our  decided 
ppinion  that  a  sermon  of  Mr.  Gisborne's  is  more  calculated  to 
*  convert  a  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way,'  than  one  of  Massil- 
JjOn's.  It  is  a  strong  objection  to  a  studied  attempt  at  oratory  in 
the  pulpit,  that  it  usually  induces  a  neglect  of  the  peculiar  doc- 


NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS.  99 

trines  of  Christian  verity,  where  the  preacher  feel*  himself  re- 
strained, and  is  under  the  necessity  of  explaining  texts,  of  obviat- 
ing objections,  and  elucidating  difficulties,  which  limits  the  excur- 
sions of  imagination,  and  confines  it  within  narrow  bounds.  He 
is  therefore  eager  to  escape  from  these  fetters,  and,  instead  of 
*  reasoning  out  of  the  Scriptures,^  expatiates  in  the  flowery  fields  of 
declamation." 

It  appears  to  me  that  a  want  of  powerful,  eloquent,  yet 
simple  and  unaffected  exhortation,  is  among  the  greatest 
deficiencies  of  the  modern  pulpit.  Let  any  one  read  the 
sermons  of  our  great  nonconformist  ancestors,  of  Clark- 
son,  DooLiTTLE,  Manton,  Howe,  Owen,  Bates,  Flavel, 
and  especially  of  Baxter,  and  mark  the  all  but  overwhelm- 
ing force  of  persuasion  which  is  put  forth  in  the  applica- 
tion of  their  powerful  discourses ;  let  him  see  how  these 
great  men  exerted  the  mightiness  of  their  strength  to  make 
all  they  had  said  to  the  judgment  reach  the  heart  and 
awaken  the  conscience.  And  to  come  to  more  modem 
times,  let  him  read  the  sermons  of  Whitfield,  Jonathan 
Edwards,  and  Davies  of  New  Jersey ;  and  to  advance  to 
still  moi-e  modern  productions,  let  them  peruse  the  sermons 
of  Mr.  Parsons  of  York,  and  many  of  the  best  preachers 
on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  Spring,  Barnes,  Skin- 
ner, Beecher,  Griffin,  Clarke,  and  Sprague.  Also 
Robert  Hall's  sermon  on  "  Marks  of  love  to  God,"  and 
Bradley's  sermon  on  "  Our  lamps  are  gone  out,"  for  fine 
specimens  of  this  hortatory  method ;  this  bearing  down 
with  the  truth  on  the  sinner's  heart  and  conscience ;  this 
beseeching  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God.  Some  specimens 
of  this  method  will  be  given  hi  the  following  chapter.  Now 
this  is  earnestness  in  preaching ;  when  a  man  is  seen  to 
feel  the  truths  he  discusses ;  when  it  is  evident  to  all  that 
lie  believes  what  he  says,  in  affirming  that  his  hearers  are 


100  NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESL. 

sinking  into  perdition,  and  that  he  is  laboring  to  persuade 
them  to  forsake  their  evil  courses  ;  when  his  sermons  are 
full  of  close,  pointed,  personal  addresses  ;  when,  in  short, 
through  the  whole  discourse,  the  preacher  is  seen  moving 
onward  from  the  understanding  to  a  closer  and  closer 
approximation  to  the  heart  in  the  conclusion,  and  the  hearer 
feels  at  length  the  hand  of  the  preacher  seizing  it  with  a 
mysterious  and  resistless  power. 


CHAPTER  V. 

NATURE    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

ILLUSTRATED  BY  SPECIMENS  FROM  VARIOUS  AUTHORS. 

Familiar  as  most  of  the  readers  of  this  work  are  with 
examples  of  the  kind  of  manner  intended  by  me,  I  have 
thought  it  would  help  to  illustrate  and  enforce  my  mean- 
ing if  I  introduced  a  few  extracts  from  different  authors 
by  way  of  specimens.  Those  which  are  here  presented 
are  not  selected  as  possessing  anything  very  extraordinary, 
or  as  being  the  best  of  the  kind  that  could  be  selected  from 
the  same  authors  ;  but  they  are  sufficient  to  answer  my 
purpose.  Nor  are  they  exhibited  as  models  to  be  in  every 
particular  imitated  in  modern  composition,  but  as  pervaded 
by  that  one  quality  of  intense  earnestness,  which  it  is  the 
object  of  this  work  to  recommend. 

The  first  extract  which  I  shall  quote  is  from  a  sermon  of 
Mr.  DooLiTTLE.  This  eminent  minister  of  Christ  was  eject- 
ed by  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  in  1662,  from  the  church  of 
St.  Alphage,  London  Wall.  He  was  a  man  of  extraordi- 
nary courage,  power,  and  success  in  preaching ;  and,  after 
his  expulsion  from  his  living,  educated  young  men  for  the 
ministry.  The  extract  which  follows  is  taken  from  a  dis- 
course contained  in  that  valuable  series  called  "  The  Mora- 


102  SPECIMENS    OF 

ing  Exercises,"*  and  is  entitled,  "  How  we  should  eye  eter- 
nity so  that  it  may  have  its  influence  on  all  we  do."  It  is 
perhaps  the  most  solemn  and  awful  sermon  in  the  Enghsh 
or  any  other  language  ;  and  is  overcharged  sadly  with  ter- 
minology, which,  though  it  should  be  sparingly  introduced . 
ought  not  to  be  altogether  excluded  from  the  modern  pulpit, 
even  in  this  fastidious  age.  The  sickly  sentimentalism 
which  would  "  never  mention  hell  to  ears  polite,"  should 
be  abjured  with  as  much  disgust  as  a  gross  and  almost 
profane  familiarity  with  these  awful  realities.  It  was  not 
only  Doolittle's  fault,  but  it  was  the  vice  of  the  age,  to 
approach  somewhat  too  near  to  the  latter  extreme.  But 
then  after  this  admission  is  made,  let  us  look  at  the  burn- 
ing and  overwhelming  earnestness  of  the  sermon. 

"  Is  there  an  eternal  state ;  such  unseen  eternal  joys  and  tor- 
ments ?  Who  then  can  sufficiently  lament  the  blindness,  madness, 
and  folly  of  this  distracted  world,  and  the  unreasonableness  of 
those  that  have  rational  and  eternal  souls,  to  see  them  busily 
employed  in  the  matters  of  time,  which  are  only  for  time,  in 
present  honors,  pleasures,  and  profits,  while  they  do  neglect 
everlasting  things :  everlasting  life  and  death  is  before  them, 
everlasting  joy  or  torment  is  hard  at  hand  ;  and  yet  poor  sinners 
take  no  care  how  to  avoid  the  one,  or  obtain  the  other.  Is  it  not 
matter  of  lamentation  to  see  so  many  thousands  bereaved  of  the 
sober,  serious  use  of  their  understandings  ?  That  while  they  use 
their  reason  to  get  the  riches  of  this  world,  they  will  not  act  as 
rational  men  to  get  the  joys  of  heaven ;  and  to  avoid  temporal 
calamities,  yet  not  to  escape  eternal  misery.  Or  if  they  be  fallen 
into  present  afflictions,  they  contrive  how  they  may  get  out  of 
them  :  if  they  be  sick,  reason  tells  them  they  must  use  the  means, 
if  they  would  be  well ,  if  they  be  in  pain,  nature  puts  them  on  to 


**A  new  edition  of  this  work  has  been  lately  published  by  Tego, 
and  let  every  young  minister  be  sure  to  purchase  a  copy. 


EARNESTNESS.  103 

seek  after  a  remedy ;  and  yet  these  same  men  neglect  all  duty, 
and  cast  away  all  care  concerning  everlasting  matters ;  they  are 
for  seen  pleasures  and  profits,  which  are  passing  from  them  in 
the  enjoyment  of  them ;  but  the  unseen  eternal  glory  in  heaven 
they  pray  not  for,  they  think  not  of.  Are  they  unjustly  charged  ? 
Let  conscience  speak,  what  thoughts  they  lie  down  withal  upon 
their  pillow;  if  they  wake  or  sleep,  fly  from  them  in  the  silent 
night,  what  a  noise  doth  the  cares  of  the  world  make  in  their 
souls  ?  With  what  thoughts  dc  they  rise  in  the  morning  ?  Of 
God,  or  of  the  world  ?  Of  the  things  of  time,  or  of  eternity  ? 
Their  thoughts  are  in  their  shops  before  they  have  been  in 
heaven ;  and  many  desires  after  visible  temporal  gain,  before 
they  have  had  one  desire  after  the  invisible,  eternal  God,  and 
treasures  that  are  above.  What  do  they  do  all  the  day  long  ? 
What  is  it  that  hath  their  endeavors,  all  their  labor  and  travel  ? 
their  most  painful  industry  and  unwearied  diligence  ?  Alas ! 
their  consciences  will  tell  themselves,  and  their  practices  tell 
others,  when  there  is  trading,  but  no  praying  ;  buying  and  selling, 
but  no  religious  duties  performed :  the  shop-book  is  often  opened, 
but  the  sacred  book  of  God  is  not  looked  into  all  the  week  long. 

"  O  Lord  !  forgive  the  hardness  of  my  heart,  that  I  can  see 
such  insufferable  folly  among  reasonable  creatures,  and  can 
lament  this  folly  no  more  :  good  Lord,  forgive  the  want  of  compas- 
sion in  me,  that  can  stand  and  see  this  distraction  in  the  world,  as 
if  the  most  of  men  had  lost  their  wits,  and  were  quite  beside  them- 
selves, and  yet  my  bowels  yearn  no  more  towards  immortal  souls 
that  are  going  to  unseen  miseries  in  the  eternal  world.  To  see 
distracted  men  busy  in  doing  things  that  tend  to  no  account  is 
not  such  an  amazing  sight,  as  to  see  men  that  have  reason  for  the 
world,  to  use  it  not  for  God,  and  Christ,  and  their  own  eternal 
good :  to  see  them  love  and  embrace  a  present  dunghill  world, 
and  cast  away  all  serious,  affecting,  and  effectual  thoughts  of  the 
life  to  come :  to  see  them  rage  against  the  God  of  heaven,  and 
cry  out  against  holiness  as  foolish  preciseness,  and  serious  godli- 
ness as  madness,  and  melancholy. 

"  Let  us  call  the  whole  creation  of  God  to  lament  and  bewail 
the  folly  of  man,  that  was  made  the  best  of  all  God's  visible 


104  SPECIMENS    OF 

works ;  but  now  by  such  wickedness  is  bad  beyond  them  all, 
being  made  by  God  for  an  everlf«<*ting  state,  and  yet  minds  nothing 
less  than  that  for  which  he  was  principally  made. 

"  O  sun  !  why  is  it  not  thy  burden  to  give  light  to  men  to  do 
those  works,  and  walk  in  those  ways  that  bring  them  to  eternal 
darkness '?  O  earth  !  why  dost  thou  not  groan  to  bear  such  bur- 
densome fools  that  dig  into  thy  bowels  for  gold  and  silver,  while 
they  do  neglect  everlasting  treasures  in  the  eternal  world  ?  O 
ye  sheep  and  oxen  !  fish  and  fowl !  why  do  ye  not  cry  out  against 
them  that  take  your  present  life  to  maintain  them  in  being,  that 
only  mind  present  things,  but  forget  the  eternal  God  that  gave 
them  dominion  over  you,  to  live  upon  you  while  they  had  time 
to  mind  eternal  things,  but  do  not  ?  O  ye  angels  of  God, 
and  blessed  saints  in  heaven,  were  ye  capable  of  grief  and 
sorrow,  would  not  ye  bitterly  lament  the  sin  and  folly  of  poor 
mortals  upon  earth  ?  Could  ye  look  down  fram  that  blessed 
place  where  ye  do  dwell,  and  behold  the  joy  and  glory  which 
is  to  us  unseen,  and  see  how  it  is  basely  slighted  by  the 
sons  of  men,  if  ye  were  not  above  sorrow  and  mourning,  would 
not  ye  take  this  up  for  a  bitter  lamentation  ?  O  ye  saints  on 
eartli^!  whose  eyes  are  open  to  see  what  the  Wind  deluded  world 
doth  not  see,  do  ye  bitterly  take  on,  let  your  heads  be  fountains 
of  water,  and  your  eyes  send  forth  rivers  of  tears,  for  the  great 
neglect  of  eternal  joys  and  happiness  of  heaven  ?  Can  you  see 
men  going  out  of  time  into  eternity  in  their  sin,  and  m  their 
blood,  in  their  guilt,  and  unconverted  state,  and  your  hearts  not 
moved  ?  your  bowels  not  yearn  ?  Have  ye  spent  all  your  tears 
in  bewailing  your  own  sin,  that  your  eyes  are  dry  when  you  be- 
hold such  monstrous  madness,  and  unparalleled  folly  of  so  many, 
with  whom  daily  ye  converse  ?  Ye  sanctified  parents,  have  ye 
no  pity  for  your  ungodly  children  ?  Nor  sanctified  children,  for 
ungodly  parents  ?" 

The  next  extract  I  give,  is  from  holy  Baxter,  under 
whose  ministry  Doolittle  was  converted,  and  from  whom 
he  appears  to  have  borrowed  his  own  manner  of  preaching. 


EARNESTNESS.  105 

"  O  sirs,  they  are  no  trifles  or  jesting  matters  that  the  gospei 
speaks  of.  I  must  needs  profess  to  you  that  when  I  have  the 
most  serious  thoughts  of  these  things,  I  am  ready  to  wonder  that 
such  amazing  matters  do  not  overwhelm  the  souls  of  men  ;  that 
the  greatness  of  the  subject  doth  not  so  overmatch  our  under- 
standings and  affections,  as  even  to  drive  men  beside  themselves, 
but  that  God  hath  always  somewhat  allayed  it  by  distance  ;  much 
more  do  I  wonder  that  men  should  be  so  blockish  as  to  make 
light  of  such  things.  O  Lord,  that  men  did  but  know  what  ever- 
lasting glory  and  everlasting  torments  are  !  Would  they  then 
hear  us  as  they  do  ?  Would  they  read  and  think  of  these  things 
as  they  do  ?  I  profess  I  have  been  ready  to  wonder  v/hen  I  have 
heard  such  weighty  things  delivered,  how  people  can  forbear 
crying  out  in  the  congregation  ;  and  much  more  do  I  wonder 
how  they  can  rest,  till  they  have  gone  to  their  /ninisters,  and 
learned  what  they  shall  do  to  be  saved,  that  this  ^<reat  business 
should  be  put  out  of  doubt.  O  that  heaven  and  bed  should  work 
no  more  upon  men  ]  O  that  eternity  should  work  no  more  !  O 
how  can  you  forbear  when  you  are  alone,  to  think  with  yourselves 
what  it  is  to  be  everlastingly  in  joy  or  torment !  I  wonder  that 
such  thoughts  do  not  break  your  sleep,  and  that  thoy  do  not  crowd 
into  your  minds,  when  you  are  about  your  labor !  I  wonder  how 
you  can  almost  do  anything  else  !  How  can  you  have  any  quiet- 
ness in  your  minds  ?  How  can  you  eat,  or  drink,  or  rest,  till  you 
have  got  some  ground  of  everlasting  consolations.  Is  that  a 
man  or  a  corpse,  that  is  not  affected  with  matters  of  this  moment 
— that  can  be  readier  to  sleep  than  to  tremble,  when  he  hears 
how  he  must  stand  at  the  bar  of  God  ?  Is  that  a  man  or  a  clod 
of  clay  that  can  rise  up  and  lie  down  without  being  deeply 
affected  with  his  everlasting  state — that  can  follow  his  worldly 
business,  and  make  nothing  of  the  great  business  of  salvation  or 
damnation,  and  that  when  he  knows  it  is  so  hard  at  hand  ?  Truly, 
sirs,  when  I  think  of  the  weight  of  the  matter,  I  wonder  at  the 
best  saints  upon  earth,  that  they  are  no  better  and  do  no  more,  in 
so  weighty  a  case.  I  wonder  at  those  whom  the  world  accounts 
more  holy  than  needs,  and  scorns  for  making  so  much  ado,  that 
they  can  put  off  Christ  and  their  souls  with  so  little  ;  that  they  do 

5* 


106  SPECIMENS    OF 

not  pour  out  their  souls  in  every  prayer  ;  that  they  are  not  more 
taken  up  with  Gr^d ;  that  their  thoughts  are  not  more  serious  in 
preparation  for  their  last  account.  I  wonder  that  they  are  not  a 
thousand  times  more  strict  in  their  lives,  and  more  laborious  and 
unwearied  for  the  crown,  than  they  are.  And  for  myself,  as  I 
am  ashnmed  of  my  dull  and  careless  heart,  and  of  my  slow  and 
unprofitable  course  of  life,  so  the  Lord  knows  I  am  ashamed  of 
every  sermon  that  I  preach  :  when  I  think  what  I  am,  and  who 
sent  me,  and  how  much  the  salvation  and  damnation  of  men  is 
concerned  in  it,  I  am  ready  to  tremble,  lest  God  should  judge  me 
a  slighter  of  his  truth,  and  the  souls  of  men,  and  lest  in  my  best 
sermon  I  should  be  guilty  of  their  blood.  Methinks  we  should 
not  speak  a  word  to  men  in  matters  of  such  consequence  with- 
out tears,  or  the  greatest  earnestness  that  possibly  we  can.  Were 
we  not  too  much  guilty  of  the  sin  which  we  reprove,  it  would  be 
so.  Whether  we  are  alone,  or  in  company,  methinks  our  end, 
and  such  an  end,  should  still  be  in  our  mind,  and  as  before  our 
eyes,  and  we  should  sooner  forget  anything,  or  set  light  by  any- 
thing, or  by  all  things,  than  by  this." 

The  third  extract  I  give,  is  from  the  works  of  that  great 
and  serene  spirit,  John  Howe,  whose  surpassing  grandeur 
of  thought  and  expression  places  him,  in  this  respect,  above 
all  his  compeers.  His  sermon  on  the  "  Inquiry  whether 
we  love  God,"  is  one  of  the  finest  pieces  of  solemn,  heart- 
searching  expostulation,  which  can  be  found  in  the  whole 
range  of  English  theology,  from  which  I  give  the  following 
pages,  the  spirit  of  which  should  enter  into  the  soul  of 
every  minister  and  student  who  reads  them. 

"  For  further  direction  take  heed  of  passing  a  false  judgment 
in  this  case,  a  judgment  contrary  to  the  truth  :  for — 

"  First,  That  is  to  no  purpose,  it  will  avail  thee  nothing,  you 
cannot  be  advantaged  by  it,  for  yours  is  not  the  supreme  judg- 
ment. There  will  be  another  and  superior  judgment  to  yours, 
that  will  control  and  reverse  your  false  judgment,  and  make  it 
signify  nothing  ;  it  is,  therefore,  to  no  purpose.     And, 


EARNESTNESS.  107 

'^Secondly,  It  is  a  great  piece  of  insolency,  for  it  will  be  to  op- 
pose your  judgment  to  his  certain  and  most  authorized  one  ;  who, 
it  this  be  your  case,  hath  already  judged  it,  and  tells  you  '  I  know 
you,  that  you  have  not  the  love  of  God  in  you.'  It  belongs  to  him, 
by  office  to  judge  :  '  The  Father  hath  committed  all  judgment  tc 
the  Son,'  as  a  little  above  in  this  chapter ;  from  which,  will  you 
depose  him  ?  dethrone  him  ?  disanrml  his  judgment  ?  condemn 
him  ?  that  you  may  be  righteous  ?  (to  borrow  that.  Job  xl.  8.) 

"  Thirdly,  It  is  most  absurd,  supposing  such  characters  as  you 
have  heard  do  conclude  a  man  in  this  case,  yet  to  judge  himself 
a  lover  of  God.  If  against  the  evidence  of  such  characters  a 
man  should  pronounce  the  wrong  judgment,  it  would  be  the  most 
unreasonable  and  absurd  thing  imaginable ;  for  then  let  us  but 
suppose,  how  that  wronged  judgment  must  lie  related  to  those 
fore-mentioned  characters  that  have  been  given  you.  Let  me 
remind  you  of  some  of  them  :  he  that  never  put  forth  the  act  of 
love  to  God,  cannot  say  he  hath  the  principle — he  that  is  not  in- 
clined to  do  good  to  others  for  the  sake  of  God,  1  John  iii.  17 — 
he  that  indulges  himself  in  the  inconsistent  love  of  this  world, 
1  John  ii.  15 — he  that  lives  not  in  obedience  to  his  known  laws, 
John  xiv.  14,  1  John  v.  3,  with  many  more.  Now  if  you  will 
pass  a  judgment  in  your  case  against  the  evidence  of  such  char- 
acters, come  forth  then,  let  the  matter  be  brought  into  clear  sight, 
put  your  sense  into  plain  words,  and  this  it  will  be  : — ^  I  am  a 
lover  of  God,  or  I  have  the  love  of  God  in  me,  though  I  cannot 
tell  that  ever  I  put  forth  one  act  of  love  towards  him  in  all  my 
life  ;  I  have  the  love  of  God  in  me,  though  I  never  knew  what  it 
meant  to  do  good  to  any  for  his  sake,  against  the  express  words 
of  scripture  :  How  dwelleth  the  love  of  God  in  such  a  man  ?  I 
have  the  love  of  God  in  me,  though  I  have  constantly  indulged 
myself  in  that  which  he  maketh  an  inconsistent  love  :  Love  not 
the  world,  nor  the  things  which  are  in  the  world  :  if  any  man 
love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him.  I  have  the 
love  of  God  in  me,  though  I  would  never  allow  him  to  rule  me, 
though  I  never  kept  his  commandments  with  a  design  to  please 
him,  and  comply  with  his  will.  I  have  the  love  of  God  in  me, 
though  I  never  valued  his  love,     1  have  the  love  of  God  in  me, 


108  SPECIMENS    OP 

though  I  never  cared  for  his  image,  for  his  presence,  for  his  con 
verse,  for  his  interest  and  honor.'  T  beseech  you  consider  how 
ail  this  will  sound !  Can  anything  be  more  absurdly  spoken  ? 
and  shall  it  be  upon  such  improbabilities  or  impossibilities  as 
these,  that  any  man  will  think  it  fit  to  venture  his  soul !  '  I  will 
pawn  my  soul  upon  it,  I  will  run  the  hazard  of  my  soul  upon  it,  1 
am  a  lover  of  God  for  all  this!'  Would  you  venture  anything 
else  so  besides  your  soul  ?  Would  you  venture  a  finger  so,  an 
eye  so  ?  It  is  to  place  the  name  where  there  is  nothing  of  the 
thing ;  it  is  to  place  the  name  of  the  thing  upon  its  contrary. 
The  soul  of  man  cannot  be  in  an  indifFerency  towards  God  ;  but 
if  there  be  not  love  and  propension,  there  is  aversion,  and  that  is 
hatred.  And  what !  is  hatred  to  be  called  love  ?  If  you  bear 
ihat  habitual  disposition  of  soul  towards  God,  to  go  all  the  day 
long  with  no  inclination  towards  him  ;  no  thought  of  him  ;  no  de- 
sign to  please  him,  to  serve  him,  to  glorify  him  ;  if  this  be  your 
habitual  temper  and  usual  course,  will  you  call  this  love  ?  Shall 
this  contrariety  to  the  love  of  God  be  called  love  to  him  ?  You 
may  as  well  call  water  fire,  or  fire  water,  as  so  grossly  misname 
things  here  ;  and  therefore,  again, 

"  That  we  may  advance  somewhat ;  plainly  and  positively  pass 
the  true  judgment.  If  the  characters  that  you  have  heard  do 
carry  the  matter  so,  come  at  last  plainly  and  positively  to  pass  the 
true  judgment  of  your  own  case,  though  it  be  a  sad  one  ;  and  tell 
your  own  souls,  '  Oh  my  soul  !  though  I  must  sadly  say  it,  I  must 
say  it,  all  things  conclude  and  make  against  thee :  the  love  of 
God  is  not  in  thee.'  Why,  is  it  not  as  good  this  should  be  the 
present  issue  at  your  own  bar,  and  at  the  tribunal  of  your  own 
conscience,  as  before  God's  judgment-seat  ?  Why  should  you 
not  concur  and  fall  in  with  CJirist  the  authorized  Judge,  whose 
judgment  is  according  to  truth  ?  Why,  this  is  a  thing  that  must 
be  done,  the  case  requires  it,  and  God's  express  word  requires  it, 

1  Cor.  xi.  31.  Other  previous  and  preparatory  duty  plainly  en- 
joined, doth  by  consequence  enjoin  it,  and  requires  that  it  follow, 

2  Cor.  xiii.  5.  What  is  examination  for,  but  in  order  to  judg- 
ment ?  It  must,  therefcro,  be  done,  and  I  shall  show  how  it  must 
be  done,  and  proceed  to  some  further  directions. 


EARNESTNESS.  109 

«  Firsts  You  must  do  it  solemnly.  Take  yourselves  aside  at 
some  fit  season  or  another,  inspect  your  own  souls,  review  your 
life,  consider  what  your  wonted  frame  and  your  ordinary  course 
has  been.  And  if  you  find  by  such  characters  as  heretofore  were 
given,  this  is  the  truth  of  your  case,  then  let  judgment  pass  upon 
deliberation  :  Oh  my  soul !  thou  hast  not  the  love  of  God  in  thee, 
whatsoever  thine  appearances  hitherto  have  been ;  and  whatso- 
ever thy  peace  and  quiet  hath  been,  thou  hast  not  the  love  of  God 
in  thee.     Let  it  be  done  with  solemnity. 

"  Secondly,  Do  it  in  the  sight  of  God  as  before  him,  as  under 
his  eye,  as  under  the  eye  of  Christ.  That  eye  that  is  as  a  flame 
of  fire,  that  searches  hearts,  and  tries  reins ;  arraign  thyself  be- 
fore him :  '  Lord,  I  have  here  brought  before  thee  a  guilty  soul, 
a  delinquent  soul,  wretchedly  and  horribly  delinquent,  a  soul  that 
was  breathed  into  me  by  thee,  an  intelligent,  understanding  soul, 
a  soul  that  hath  love  in  its  nature,  but  a  soul  that  never  loved 
thee.' 

"  Thirdly,  Judge  thyself  before  him  as  to  the  fact,  and  as  to 
the  fault.  As  to  the/ocZ;  'I  have  never  yet  loved  thee,  O  God. 
I  own  it  to  thee ;  Lord,  I  accuse,  I  charge  my  soul  with  this  be- 
fore thee,  this  is  the  truth  of  the  fact,  I  have  not  the  love  of  God 
in  me.'  And  charge  thyself  with  the  fault :  '  Oh  horrid  creature 
that  I  am  !  I  was  made  by  thee,  and  don't  love  thee  ;  thou  didst 
breathe  into  me  this  reasonable,  immortal  spirit,  and  it  doth  not 
love  thee ;  it  is  thine  own  offspring,  and  does  not  love  thee.  It 
can  never  be  blessed  in  an3rthing  but  thee,  and  it  does  not  love 
thee.'    And  then  hereupon, 

"  Fourthly,  Join  to  this  self-judging  and  self-loathing.  That 
we  are  to  judge  ourselves  is  a  law  laid  upon  us  by  the  supreme 
Lawgiver,  the  one  Lawgiver,  that  hath  power  to  save  and  to  de- 
stroy. And  his  word  that  enjoins  it  as  plainly  tells  us  what 
must  go  with  it,  that  this  self-judging  must  be  accompanied  with 
self-loathing,  Ezek.  vi.  9;  xx  43,  and  xxxvi.  31.  Do  God  that 
right  upon  thyself  that  thou  mayst  tell  him, '  Blessed  God  !  I  do 
even  hate  myself,  because  I  find  I  have  not  loved  thee ;  and  I 
cannot  but  hate  myself,  and  I  never  will  be  reconciled  to  myself, 
till  I  find  I  am  reconciled  to  thee.'    This  is  doing  justice :  doth 

10 


110  SPECIMENS    OF 

not  the  Scripture  usually  and  familiarly  so  represent  to  us  the 
great  turn  of  the  soul  to  God ;  when  poor  sinners  become  peni- 
tents and  return,  that  they  are  brought  to  hate  themselves,  and 
loathe  themselves  in  their  own  eyes  ?  And  is  there  anything  that 
can  make  a  soul  so  loathsome  in  itself,  or  ought  to  make  it  so 
loathsome  to  itself,  as  not  to  love  God,  to  be  destitute  of  the  love 
of  God  ?     And  then, 

"  Fifthly,  Hereupon,  too,  pity  thyself,  ^%  thy  own  soul.  There 
is  cause  to  hate  it,  to  loathe  it,  and  is  there  no  cause  to  pity  it  ? 
to  lament  it  ?  Doth  not  this  look  like  a  lamentable  case, '  Oh ! 
what  a  soul  have  I,  that  can  love  anything  else,  that  can  love 
trifles,  that  can  love  impurities,  that  can  love  sin ;  and  cannot 
love  God,  Christ,  the  most  desirable  good  of  souls.  What  a  soul 
have  I !  What  a  monster  in  the  creation  of  God  is  this  soul  of 
mine  !'  Methinks  you  should  set  yourselves,  if  any  of  you  can 
find  this  to  be  the  case,  to  weep  over  your  own  souls.  Some 
may  see  cause  to  say, '  Oh  my  soul,  thou  hast  in  thee  other  valu- 
able things,  thou  hast  understanding  in  thee,  judgment  in  thee;, 
wit  in  thee  ;  perhaps  learning,  considerable  acquired  endowments 
in  thee ;  but  thou  hast  not  the  love  of  God  in  thee.  I  can  dc 
many  other  commendable  or  useful  things,  I  can  discourse  plausi- 
bly, argue  subtilly,  I  can  manage  affairs  dexterously,  but  I  cannot 
love  God.  Oh  my  soul,  how  great  an  essential  dost  thou  want 
to  all  religion,  to  all  duty,  to  all  felicity  !  The  one  thing  neces- 
sary thou  wantest,  thou  hast  everything  but  what  thou  needest 
more  than  anything,  more  than  all  things  ;  and  oh,  my  soul,  what 
is  like  at  this  rate  to  become  of  thee  ?  Where  art  thou  to  have 
thy  eternal  abode  ?  To  what  regions  of  horror,  and  darkness, 
and  woe  art  thou  going  ?  What  society  can  be  fit  for  thee — no 
lover  of  God  !  no  lover  of  God  !  what,  but  of  infernal,  accursed 
spirits,  that  are  at  utmost  distance  from  him,  and  to  whom  no 
beam  of  holy  vital  light  shall  ever  shine  to  all  eternity  !  Thou,  oh 
my  soul,  art  self-abandoned  to  the  blackness  of  darkness  forever. 
Thy  doom  is  in  thy  breast,  thy  own  bosom  ;  thy  no  love  to  God  is 
thy  own  doom,  thy  eternal  doom  ;  creates  thee  a  present  hell,  and 
shows  whither  thou  belongest.' 

"  Sixthly,    *    *    *    All  disobedience  and  rebeliiDn  is  summed 


EARNESTNESS.  Ill 

up  in  this  one  word — Having  been  no  lover  of  God ;  and  won't  it 
make  any  man's  heart  to  meditate  terror,  to  think  of  having  such 
a  charge  as  this  hkely  to  lie  against  him  in  the  judgment  of  that 
day ;  that  day,  when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  are  to  be  laid  open  ? 
Every  work  must  then  be  brought  into  judgment,  and  every  secret 
thing,  whether  it  be  good  or  evil,  Eccles.  xii.  14.  And  it  will  be 
to  the  confusion  of  many  a  one.  It  may  be  your  no  love  of  God 
was  heretofore  a  great  secret ;  you  had  a  heart  in  which  was  no 
love  of  God,  but  it  was  a  secret,  you  took  not  care  to  have  it  writ 
in  your  forehead  ;  you  conversed  with  men  so  plausibly,  nobody 
took  you  to  be  no  lover  of  God,  to  have  a  heart  disaffected  to  God. 
But  now  out  comes  the  secret,  that  which  you  kept  for  a  great 
secret  all  your  days  ;  out  comes  the  secret ;  and  to  have  such  a 
secret  as  this  disclosed  to  that  vast  assembly,  before  angels  and 
men !  Here  was  a  creature,  a  reasonable  creature,  an  intelli- 
gent soul,  that  lived  upon  the  divine  bounty  and  goodness  so 
many  years  in  the  world  below,  and  hid  a  false,  disloyal  heart  by 
a  plausible  show  and  external  profession  of  great  devotedness  to 
God,  all  the  time  of  his  abode  in  that  world  :  oh  what  a  fearful 
thing  would  it  be  to  have  this  secret  so  disclosed  !  And  do  you 
think  that  all  the  loyal  creatures  that  shall  be  spectators  and 
auditors  in  the  hearing  of  that  great  day,  will  not  all  conceive  a 
just  and  a  loyal  indignation  against  such  a  one  when  convicted 
of  not  loving  God ;  convicted  of  not  loving  him  that  gave  him 
breath,  him  whose  he  was,  and  to  whom  he  belonged,  whose 
name  he  bore  ?  What  a  fearful  thing  will  it  be  to  stand  con- 
victed so  upon  such  a  point  as  this  !  And  sure  in  the  meantime 
there  is  great  reason  for  continual  fear,  why  a  man's  heart  should 
yneditate  terror!  One  would  even  think  that  all  the  creation 
should  be  continually  every  moment  in  arms  against  him  !  One 
would  be  afraid  that  every  wind  that  blows  should  be  a  deadly 
blast  to  destroy  me  ;  that  when  the  sun  shines  upon  me  all  its 
beams  should  be  turned  into  vindictive  flames  to  execute  ven- 
geance upon  me  !  I  would  fear  that  even  the  very  stones  in  the 
streets  should  fly  against  me,  and  everything  that  meets  me  be 
my  death !  For  what  ?  I  have  not  the  love  of  God  in  me ! 
What,  to  go  about  the  streets  from  day  to  day  with  a  heart  void 


112  SPECIMENS    OF 

of  the  love  of  God !  What  a  heart  have  1  Fear  ought  to  be 
exercised  in  this  case ;  we  are  bid  to  fear  u  we  do  evil  against 
a  human  ruler :  '  If  thou  do  that  which  is  evil,  be  afraid,  for  he 
beareth  not  the  sword  in  vain.'  Rom.  xiii.  4.  But  if  I  be  such 
an  evil-doer  against  the  supreme  Ruler,  the  Lord  of  heaven  and 
earth,  have  I  not  reason  to  be  afraid,  and  to  think  sadly  with  my- 
self, what  will  the  end  of  this  be  ?" 

The  next  extract  is  from  Jonathan  Edwards'  sermon  on 
"  Pressing  into  the  Kingdom  of  God."  This  extraordinary 
man  presents  a  remarkable  proof  and  illustration  that  the 
most  acute  logician  and  the  most  subtle  metaphysician, 
may  be  at  the  same  time  the  most  earnest  preacher.  His 
sermons  are  some  of  the  most  impressive  and  alarming  in 
print,  but  certainly  not  a  little  wanting  in  the  tenderness 
and  melting  pathos  of  the  gospel  of  salvation.  They  may 
be  read  with  admirable  effect  to  teach  us  how  to  expound 
the  nature  and  enforce  the  obligations  of  the  moral  law,  so 
as  to  awaken  the  slumbering  conscience  of  the  unconverted 
sinner.  His  astonishing  usefulness  shows  the  adaptation 
of  his  preaching  to  the  age  and  state  of  society  in  which 
he  lived,  but  his  method  could  not  be  rigidly  followed,  ex- 
cept in  its  earnestness,  in  the  present  day. 

"  1 .  I  w^ould  address  myself  to  such  as  yet  remain  una  wakened. 
It  is  an  awful  thing  that  there  should  be  any  one  person  remain- 
ing secure  amongst  us  at  such  a  time  as  this  ;  but  yet  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  there  are  some  of  this  sort.  I  would  here  a  little 
expostulate  with  such  persons. 

"  When  do  you  expect  that  it  will  be  more  likely  that  you 
should  be  awakened  and  wrought  upon  than  now  ?  You  are  in 
a  Christless  condition,  and  yet,  without  doubt,  intend  to  go  to 
heaven ;  and  therefore  intend  to  be  converted  some  time  before 
you  die  :  but  this  is  not  to  be  expected  till  you  are  first  awakened; 
and  deeply  concerned  about  the  welfare  of  your  soul,  and  brought 
earnestly  to  seek  God's  converting  grace.     And  when  do  you 


EARNESTNESS.  113 

intend  tliat  this  shaL  be  ?  How  do  you  lay  things  out  in  your 
own  mind,  or  what  projection  have  you  about  this  matter  ?  Is  it 
ever  so  likely  that  a  person  will  be  awakened,  as  at  such  a  time 
as  this  ?  How  do  we  see  many,  who  before  were  secure,  now 
roused  out  of  their  sleep,  and  crying,  What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ? 
But  you  are  yet  secure !  Do  you  flatter  yourself  that  it  will  be 
more  likely  you  should  be  awakened  when  it  is  a  dull  and  dead 
time  ?  Do  you  lay  matters  out  thus  in  your  own  mind,  that 
though  you  are  senseless  when  others  are  generally  awakened, 
that  yet  you  shall  be  awakened  when  others  are  generally  sense- 
less ?  Or  do  you  hope  to  see  another  such  time  of  the  pouring 
out  of  God's  Spirit  hereafter  ?  And  do  you  think  it  will  be  more 
likely  that  you  should  be  wrought  upon  then,  than  now  ?  And 
why  do  you  think  so  ?  Is  it  because  then  you  shall  be  so  much 
older  than  you  are  now,  and  so  that  your  heart  will  be  grown 
softer  and  more  tender  with  age  ?  or  because  you  will  then  have 
stood  out  so  much  longer  against  the  calls  of  the  gospel,  and  all 
means  of  grace  ?  Do  you  think  it  more  likely  that  God  will  give 
you  the  needed  influences  of  his  Spirit  then  than  now,  because 
then  you  will  have  provoked  him  so  much  more,  and  your  sin  and 
guilt  will  be  so  much  greater  ?  And  do  you  think  it  will  be  any 
benefit  to  you  to  stand  it  out  through  the  present  season  of  grace, 
as  proof  against  the  extraordinary  means  of  awakening  there  are  ? 
Do  you  think  that  this  will  be  a  good  preparation  for  a  saving 
work  of  the  Spirit  hereafter  ? 

"  2.  What  means  do  you  expect  to  be  awakened  by  ?  As  to 
the  awakening,  awful  things  of  the  word  of  God,  you  have  had 
those  set  before  you  times  without  number,  in  the  most  moving 
manner  that  the  dispensers  of  the  word  have  been  capable  of. 
As  to  particular  solemn  warnings,  directed  to  those  that  are  in 
your  circumstances,  you  have  had  them  frequently,  and  have 
them  now  from  time  to  time.  Do  you  expect  to  be  awakened  by 
awful  providences  ?  Those  also  you  have  lately  had,  of  the  most 
awakening  nature,  one  after  another.  Do  you  expect  to  be  moved 
by  the  deaths  of  others  ?  We  have  lately  had  repeated  instances 
of  these.  There  have  been  deaths  of  old  and  young :  the  year 
has  been  remarkable  far  the  deaths  of  young  persons  in  the  bloom 
10* 


114  SPECIMENS    OF 

of  life,  and  some  of  them  very  sudden  deaths.  Will  the  conver- 
sion of  others  move  you  ?  There  is  indeed  scarce  anything  that 
is  found  to  have  so  great  a  tendency  to  stir  persons  up  as  this ; 
and  tliis  you  have  been  tried  with  of  late  in  frequent  instances, 
but  are  hitherto  proof  against  it.  Will  a  general  pouring  out  of 
the  Spirit,  and  seeing  a  concern  about  salvation  amongst  all  sorts 
of  people,  do  it  ?  This  means  you  now  have,  but  without  effect. 
Yea,  you  have  all  these  things  together ;  you  have  the  solemn 
warnings  of  God's  word,  and  awful  instances  of  death,  and  the 
conversion  of  others,  and  see  a  general  concern  about  salvation ; 
but  all  together  do  not  move  you  to  any  great  concern  about  your 
own  precious,  immortal,  and  miserable  soul.  Therefore  consider 
by  what  means  it  is  that  you  expect  ever  to  be  awakened. 

"  You  have  heard  that  it  is  probable  some  who  are  now  awak- 
ened, will  never  obtain  salvation ;  how  dark  then  does  it  look  upon 
you  that  remain  stupidly  una  wakened  !  Those,  come  to  adult 
age,  who  are  not  moved  at  such  a  time  as  this,  have  reason  to 
fear  whether  they  are  not  given  up  to  judicial  hardness.  I  do 
not  say  they  have  reason  to  conclude  it,  but  they  have  reason  to 
fear  it.  How  dark  doth  it  look  upon  you,  that  God  comes  and 
knocks  at  so  many  persons'  doors,  and  misses  yours  !  that  God 
is  giving  the  strivings  of  his  Spirit  so  generally  amongst  us,  while 
you  are  left  senseless  ! 

"  3.  Do  you  expect  to  obtain  salvation  without  ever  seeking  it  ? 
If  you  are  sensible  that  there  is  a  necessity  of  your  seeking  in 
order  to  obtaining,  and  ever  intend  to  seek,  one  would  think  you 
could  not  avoid  it  at  such  a  time  as  this.  Inquire  therefore 
whether  you  intend  to  go  to  heaven,  living  all  your  days  a  secure, 
negligent,  careless  life. — Or, 

"  4.  Do  you  think  you  can  bear  the  damnation  of  hell  ?  Do 
you  imagine  that  you  can  tolerably  endure  the  devouring  fire  and 
everlasting  burnings  ?  Do  you  hope  that  you  shall  be  able  to 
grapple  with  the  vengeance  of  God  Almighty,  when  he  girds 
himself  with  strength,  and  clothes  himself  with  wrath  ?  Do  you 
tliink  to  strengthen  yourself  against  God,  and  to  be  able  to  make 
your  part  good  with  him  ?  1  Cor.  x.  22, '  Do  we  provoke  the 
Lord  to  jealousy  ?   are  we  stronger  than  he  ?'    Do  you  flatter 


EARNESTNESS.  115 

yourself  that  you  shal.  find  out  ways  for  your  ease  and  support, 
and  to  make  it  out  tolerably  well,  to  bear  up  your  spirit  in  those 
everlasting  burnings  that  are  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels?  Ezek.  xxii.  14.  'Can  thine  heart  endure,  or  can  thine 
hands  be  strong,  in  the  days  that  I  shall  deal  with  thee  ?'  It  is 
a  difficult  thing  to  conceive  what  such  Christless  persons  think, 
that  are  unconcerned  at  sn^h  a  time." 

The  following  extract  is  from  that  first  of  all  preachers, 
Whitfield  ;  and  who  that  considers  the  circumstances 
under  which  these  flaming  periods  were  enunciated,  and 
the  feeling  and  action  which  accompanied  their  delivery, 
can  wonder  at  the  effects  they  produced  ? 

BESEEcmNG  Sinners.  "  O  my  brethren,  my  heart  is  enlarged 
towards  you.  I  trust  I  feel  something  of  that  hidden  but  power- 
ful presence  of  Christ,  whilst  I  am  preaching  to  you.  Indeed  it 
is  sweet,  it  is  exceedingly  comfortable.  All  the  harm  I  wish  you, 
who  without  cause  are  my  enemies,  is,  that  you  felt  the  like. 
Believe  me,  though  it  would  be  hell  to  my  souj  to  return  to  a 
natural  state  again,  yet  I  would  willingly  change  states  with  you 
for  a  little  while,  that  you  might  know  what  it  is  to  have  Christ 
dwelling  in  your  hearts  by  faith.  Do  not  turn  your  backs  ;  do  not 
let  the  devil  hurry  you  away  ;  be  not  afraid  of  convictions  ;  do  not 
think  worse  of  the  doctrine  because  preached  without  the  church 
walls.  Our  Lord,  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  preached  on  a  mount, 
in  a  ship,  and  in  a  field  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  many  have  felt  his 
gracious  presence  here.  Indeed,  we  speak  what  we  know.  Do 
not  reject  the  kingdom  of  God  against  yourselves ;  be  so  wise  as 
to  receive  our  witness.  I  cannot  I  will  not  let  you  go  ;  stay  a 
liitle,  let  us  reason  together.  However  lightly  you  may  esteem 
your  souls,  I  know  our  Lord  has  set  an  unspeakable  value  on 
them.  He  thought  them  worthy  of  his  most  precious  blood.  I 
beseech  you  therefore,  O  sinners,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God.  I 
hope  you  do  not  fear  being  accepted  in  the  Beloved.  Behold,  he 
ealleth  you ;  behold,  he  prevents  and  follows  you  with  his  mercy 


116  SPECIMENS    OF 

and  hath  sent  forth  his  servants  into  the  highways  and  hedges, 
to  compel  you  to  come  in  Remember,  then,  that  at  such  an  hour, 
of  such  a  day,  in  such  a  year,  in  this  place,  you  were  all  told  what 
you  ought  to  think  concerning  Jesus  Christ.  If  you  now  perish, 
it  will  not  be  for  lack  of  knowledge  ;  I  am  free  from  the  blood  of 
you  all.  You  cannot  say  I  have,  like  legal  preachers,  been  requir- 
ing you  to  make  brick  without  straw.  I  have  not  bidden  you  to 
make  yourselves  saints,  and  then  come  to  God ;  but  I  have  offered 
you  salvation  on  as  cheap  terms  as  you  can  desire.  I  have 
offered  you  Christ's  whole  wisdom,  Christ's  whole  righteousness, 
Christ's  whole  sanctification  and  eternal  redemption,  if  you  will 
but  believe  on  him.  If  you  say  you  cannot  believe,  you  say 
right ;  for  faith,  as  well  as  every  other  blessing,  is  the  gift  of 
God  :  but  then  wait  upon  God,  and  who  knows  but  he  may  have 
mercy  on  thee  ?  Why  do  we  not  entertain  more  loving  thoughts 
of  Christ  ?  Or  do  you  think  he  will  have  mercy  on  others,  and 
not  on  you  ?  But  are  you  not  sinners  ?  And  did  not  Jesus 
Christ  come  into  the  world  to  save  sinners  ?  If  you  say  you  are 
the  chief  of  sinners,  I  answer,  that  will  be  no  hindrance  to  your 
salvation ;  indeed  it  will  not,  if  you  lay  hold  on  him  by  faith. 
Read  the  Evangelists,  and  see  how  kindly  he  behaved  to  his  disci- 
ples, who  fled  from  and  denied  him  :  '  Go  tell  my  brethren,'  says 
he.  He  did  not  say.  Go  tell  those  traitors ;  but,  '  Go  tell  my 
brethren,  and  Peter ;'  as  though  he  had  said,  Go  tell  my  brethren 
in  general,  and  poor  Peter  in  particular, '  that  I  am  risen :'  O 
comfort  his  poor  drooping  heart,  tell  him  I  am  reconciled  to  him  ; 
bid  him  weep  no  more  so  bitterly :  for  though  with  oaths  and 
curses  he  thrice  denied  me,  yet  I  have  died  for  his  sins,  I  am  risen 
again  for  his  justification  :  I  freely  forgive  him  all.  Thus  slow 
to  anger  and  of  great  kindness,  was  our  all-merciful  High  Priest. 
And  do  you  think  he  has  changed  his  nature,  and  forgets  poor 
sinners,  now  he  is  exalted  to  the  right  hand  of  God  ?  No,  he  is 
the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever,  and  sitteth  there  only  to 
make  intercession  for  us.  Come  then,  ye  harlots  ;  come,  ye  pub- 
licans ;  come,  ye  most  abandoned  of  sinners,  come  and  believe  on 
Jesus  Christ.  Though  the  whole  world  despise  you  and  cast  you 
out,  yet  he  will  not  disiiain  to  take  you  up.    O  amazing,  O  infi- 


EARNESTNESS.  117 

nitely  condescending  love  !  even  you  he  will  not  be  ashamed  to 
call  his  brethren.  How  will  you  escape,  if  you  neglect  such  a 
glorious  offer  of  salvation  ?  What  would  the  damned  spirits, 
now  in  the  prison  of  hell,  give,  if  Christ  was  so  freely  offered  to 
their  souls  !  And  why  are  not  we  lifting  up  our  eyes  in  torments  ? 
Does  any  one  out  of  this  great  multitude  dare  say,  he  does  not 
deserve  damnation  ?  If  not,  why  are  we  left,  and  others  taken 
away  by  death?  What  is  this  but  an  instance  of  God's  free 
grace,  and  a  sign  of  his  good  will  towards  us  ?  Let  God's  good- 
ness lead  us  to  repentance  !  O  let  there  be  joy  in  heaven  over 
some  of  you  repenting  !  Though  we  are  in  o.  field,  I  am  per- 
suaded the  blessed  angels  are  hovering  now  around  us,  and  do 
long, '  as  the  hart  panteth  after  the  water-brooks,'  to  sing  an  an- 
them at  your  conversion.  Blessed  be  God,  I  hope  their  joy  will 
be  fulfilled.  An  awful  silence  appears  amongst  us.  I  have  good 
hope  that  the  words  which  the  Lord  has  enabled  me  to  speak  in 
your  ears  this  day,  have  not  altogether  fallen  to  the  ground. 
Your  tears  and  deep  attention  are  an  evidence  that  the  Lord  God 
is  amongst  us  of  a  truth.  Come,  ye  pharisees,  come  and  see,  in 
spite  of  your  fanatical  rage  and  fury,  the  Lord  Jesus  is  getting 
himself  the  victory.  And,  brethren,  I  speak  the  truth  in  Christ,  I 
lie  not :  if  one  soul  of  you,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  be  brought  to 
think  savingly  of  Jesus  Christ  this  day,  I  care  not  if  my  enemies 
were  permitted  to  carry  me  to  prison,  and  put  my  feet  fast  in  the 
stocks,  as  soon  as  I  have  delivered  this  sermon.  Brethren,  my 
heart's  desire  and  prayer  to  God  is,  that  you  may  be  saved.  For 
this  cause  I  follow  my  Master  without  the  camp.  I  care  not  how 
much  of  his  sacred  reproach  I  bear,  so  that  some  of  you  be  con- 
verted from  the  errors  of  your  ways.  I  rejoice,  yea,  and  I  will  re- 
joice. Ye  men,  ye  devils,  do  your  worst :  the  Lord  who  sent  will 
support  me.  And  when  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  and  whom  I  have 
now  been  preaching,  shall  appear,  I  also,  together  with  his  de- 
spised little  ones,  shall  appear  with  him  in  glory.  And  then  what 
will  you  think  of  Christ  ?  I  know  what  you  will  think  of  him. 
You  will  think  him  to  be  the  fairest  among  ten  thousand :  you 
will  then  think  him  to  be  a  just  and  sin-avenging  Judge.  Be  ye 
then  persuaded  to  kiss  him  lest  he  be  angry,  and  so  you  be  ban- 


118  SPECIMENS    ?F 

ished  forever  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Behold,  I  come  to 
you  as  the  angel  did  to  Lot.  Flee,  flee  for  your  lives ;  haste,  lin- 
ger no  longer  in  your  spiritual  Sodom,  for  otherwise  you  will  be 
eternally  destroyed.  Numbers,  no  doubt,  there  are  amongst  you, 
that  may  regard  me  no  more  than  Lot's  sons-in-law  regarded 
him.  I  am  persuaded  I  seem  to  some  of  you  as  one  that  mock- 
eth :  but  I  speak  the  truth  in  Christ,  I  lie  not ;  as  sure  as  fire  and 
brimstone  was  rained  from  the  Lord  out  of  heaven,  to  destroy 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  so  surely,  at  the  great  day,  shall  the  vials 
of  God's  wrath  be  poured  on  you,  if  you  do  not  think  seriously  of, 
and  act  agreeably  to,  the  gospel  of  the  Lord's  Christ.  Behold,  I 
have  told  you  before ;  and  I  pray  God,  all  you  that  forget  him 
may  seriously  think  of  what  has  been  said,  before  he  pluck  you 
away,  and  there  be  none  to  deliver  you." 

Not  to  multiply  these  extracts  unnecessarily,  I  give  one 
more  from  a  preacher  who  is,  perhaps,  without  any  excep- 
tion, the  most  impressive  living  example  of  earnestness, 
both  in  matter  and  manner ;  I  mean  Mr.  Parsons,  of  York. 

"  O,  do  not  deceive  yourselves !  I  would  strive  to/'tear  away 
the  veil,  I  tell  you,  O  ye  whose  '  goodness  has  been  a^a  morning 
cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew  that  goeth  away,' — if  unhanged  you 
die,  and  if  unchanged  you  stand  before  the  dread  tribunal,  where 
an  account  must  be  rendered  of  all  providences, ^11  immunities, 
and  all  feeUngs,  you  will  be  found  fatally  wanting,  and  will  hear 
a  sentence  of  condemnation  that  will  consign  you  to  realms  of 
everlasting  despair.  As  true  as  that  Jehovah  lives,  is  it  that  he 
will  thus  execute  the  fierceness  of  his  indignation.  Abodes  of 
sorrow  await  you,  where  every  past  benefit  wull  but  be  an  instru- 
ment of  torture  ;  where  memory  and  conscience  will  hold  up  the 
mirror  of  by-gone  privilege  and  promise,  of  abused  mercy,  of  for- 
sworn and  perjured  vows,  only  that  remorse  may  strike  upon  the 
soul  its  more  than  scorpion  sting,  and  where  grace  and  hope  can 
never  alleviate  the  wailings  that  will  reverberate  through  the  dun- 
geons of  outer  darkness  forever  and  forever !  Your  doom  will  be 
more  tremendous,  precisely  in  proportion  to  the  means  you  pos- 


EARNESTNESS.  119 

Bessed,  and  the  signs  you  gave,  of  averting  it ;  can  any  doom  be 
worse  than  yours  ?  When  these  *  terrors  of  the  Lord'  are  ex- 
pounded, say  if  there  be  not  an  argument  of  mighty  force  why  you 
should  now  beware,  and  why  you  should  now  hear  the  voice  of 
God,  lest  you  should  be  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of  sin,  and 
lest  he  should  swear  in  his  wrath  that  you  shall  not  enter  into  his 
rest ! 

"  But  once  more  to  appeal  to  those  for  whom  this  address  has 
been  particularly  designed.  That  such  there  are,  /  know,  I 
could  turn  round,  and  fix  my  eye,  and  rest  my  hand,  on  persons 
by  whom,  if  so  arraigned,  the  accusation  of  the  text  could  not  be 
denied  or  evaded.  You  have  been  again  visited  by  the  instrumen- 
tality which  is  adapted  for  the  impression  of  the  heart.  Do  not 
reject  it :  do  not  let  it  have  that  insufficient  influence  which  is 
but  to  be  dissipated  for  the  world,  and  which  makes  the  end  worse 
than  the  beginning.  No — nothing  will  avail  but  the  entire  sur- 
render of  the  soul  to  him  who  gave  it — the  determination  to  live 
to  Christ,  and  to  glory  only  in  his  cross.  In  the  name  of  the 
great  God,  who  is  not  willing  that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all 
should  come  to  repentance,  I  do  now  abjure  you,  that  you  trifle 
not  a  moment  longer,  that  you  delay  not  a  moment  longer,  that 
you  resist  not  a  moment  longer:  'Come  and  return  unto  the 
Lord  :'  let  this  be  a  season  of  consideration ;  let  this  be  a  season 
of  repentance ;  let  this  be  a  season  of  prayer ;  let  this  be  a  season 
of  dedication  to  your  God : — noia,  my  hearers,  now  ! 

"  — Minister  and  people  must  part  once  more.  The  book  must 
be  closed  again ;  the  voice  must  be  silent  again ;  the  congrega- 
tion must  retire  again.  O  Spirit  of  God,  perform  thy  work  ! 
'  Come  from  the  four  winds,  O  breath,  and  breathe  upon  these 
slain,  that  they  may  live  !'  Let  there  not  be  one  here  before  thee, 
of  whom,  when  yonder  heavens  shall  be  on  fire,  and  when  this 
earth  shall  be  burned  up,  it  shall  be  found — that  their  '  goodness 
was  as  a  morning  cloud,  and  that  as  the  early  dew  it  went 
away  !'  " 

These  extracts  will  illustrate  what  I  mean  by  earnestness, 
better  than  any  language  which  I  have  employed  or  could 


120  SPECIMENS    OF 

select,  and  they  appear  to  me  to  answei  well  to  the  apos- 
tolic method  of  beseeching  entreaty.  I  do  not  of  coui'se 
insist  that  the  pulpit  should  be  restricted  to  the  specific 
variety  of  preaching  which  we  designate  the  hortatory 
method,  under  which  classification  these  specimens  must 
all  be  placed.  There  should  be  exegesis,  as  well  as  appli- 
cation ;  exposition,  as  well  as  expostulation.  The  judg- 
ment must  be  enlightened  in  order  that  the  heart  may  be 
impressed,  and  the  conscience  awakened,  and  the  believer 
edified,  no  less  than  the  sinner  converted  ;  and  for  this  a 
less  impassioned  strain  of  preaching  will  not  only  suffice, 
but  indeed  be  more  appropriate.  Yet  with  i-egard  to  that 
portion  of  our  public  ministrations,  and  it  should  be  no 
small  portion  of  it,  which  has  reference  to  the  conversion  of 
the  impenitent,  where  shall  we  find  better  models  on  which 
to  construct  our  sermons  than  the  Doolittles,  the  Howes, 
the  Baxters,  and  the  Whitfields,  of  former  times,  so  far 
at  least  as  their  intense  earnestness  is  concerned  ?  It  is 
true  the  moderns  have  improved  upon  these  men  in  mat- 
ters of  taste,  in  reference  to  which  we  cannot  of  course 
hold  them  up  for  imitation.  In  their  numerous  and  com- 
plicated divisions  and  subdivisions,  through  Avhich,  as  so 
many  little  rills  and  channels,  they  poured  the  current  of 
their  thought,  instead  of  causing  it  to  roll  onward  in  the 
channel  of  their  sermon  with  the  majestic  flow  of  a  noble 
river ;  in  their  quaintnesses  and  quirks  ;  in  their  fantastic 
imagery  and  uncouth  diction  ;  in  their  occasional  grossness 
and  vulgarity,  in  which  some  of  them  were  but  too  prone 
to  indulge — they  are  to  be  studiously  avoided.  Yet  even 
m  reference  to  some  of  these  things,  it  may  be  affirmed, 
that,  though,  in  tlieir  free  and  reckless  resort  to  every  mode 
of  stimulating  attention,  they  were  very  often  betrayed 
into  great  violations  o!  taste,  the  very  same  audacity  of 


EARNESTNESS.  121 

genius  often  produced  felicities  of  imagery  and  diction, 
with  which,  neither  for  beauty  nor  effect,  will  the  blame- 
less common-place  and  the  accurate  insipidity  of  many  mod- 
em discourses  bear  any  comparison.  For  pregnancy  of 
thought,  for  knowledge  of  the  word  of  God,  for  raciness  of 
style,  for  evangelical  sentiment,  for  anatomy  of  the  human 
heart,  for  closeness  of  application,  and  especially  for  inten- 
sity of  feeling,  where  shall  we  find  their  equals  ?  They 
preached  to  their  congregations,  and  not  merely  before 
them :  they  felt  that  the  objects  of  their  addresses  were 
immortal  souls  in  danger  of  being  lost,  and  knew  their 
business  in  the  pulpit  was  to  save  those  souls  from  perdi- 
tion :  they  preached  as  if  they  expected  there  and  then  to 
achieve  the  great  work  of  conversion  :  and  felt  as  if  the 
eternal  destinies  of  their  hearers  were  suspended  on  the 
manner  in  which  they  discharged  their  duties,  and  as  if 
they  were  to  ascend  the  next  mom.ent,  after  they  had 
finished  their  sermons,  to  give  an  account  of  them  at  the 
bar  of  God.  Do  not  the  extracts  given,  and  which  are 
but  a  sample  of  their  works,  bear  out  these  assertions  ? 
This  is  what  we  want  more  of  in  modern  preaching.  Thfre 
may  be,  and  should  be,  more  of  classic  elegance,  more  Df 
logical  arrangement,  philosophic  precision,  of  vigorous  and 
clear  argumentation  ;  but  still,  at  the  same  time,  combined 
with  this,  there  should  also  be  the  pointed  interrogation, 
the  pungent  appeal,  the  bold  apostrophe,  the  gush  of  feel- 
ing, the  forcible  expostulation,  and  the  tender  invitation : 
now  the  gentle  flow  of  deep,  and  solemn,  and  placid  thought, 
ind  then  the  torrent  rush  of  impassioned  sentiment :  the 
beautiful  and  harmonious  combination  of  reason,  imagina- 
tion, and  affection  :  and  all  this  employed  to  carry  out  the 
purpose  for  which  the  gospel  is  to  be  preached,  and  to  win 
50uls  to  Christ.  Those  who  were  privileged  to  hear  Mr. 
6 


122  SPECIMENS    OF 

Hall,  in  his  best  days,  deliver  some  of  his  most  popular 
and  powerful  discourses,  will  not  fail  to  recollect  how  strik- 
ingly he  combined  the  intense  earnestness  of  the  passages 
just  quoted,  with  the  chaste  and  classic  elegance  of  our  best 
writers  ;  and  thus,  considering  the  evangelical  strain  of  his 
preaching,  may  be  said  to  have  poured  forth  a  torrent  of 
the  water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal.  He  reminded  you  of 
one  who,  in  his  yearnings  for  the  salvation  of  sinners, 
seemed  to  feel  that  lanffuajre  was  too  feeble  an  instrument 
for  such  a  purpose,  and  who,  notwithstanding  his  sovereign 
command  and  exquisite  selection  of  terminology,  was  strug- 
gling to  burst  the  barrier  by  which  words  limit  the  com- 
munication of  thought,  that  he  might,  by  a  still  more  direct 
and  facile  method,  reach  and  grasp  the  soul  of  his  hearers. 
There  is,  however,  hope  that  our  old  theological  writers 
will  not  be  quite  forgotten  or  neglected,  while  such  men 
as  Professor  Stowell,  of  Rotherham  College,  shall  em- 
ploy their  talents  in  writing  prefaces  to  reprints  of  such 
works  as  those  of  Thomas  Adams,  and  shall  lend  their 
authority  to  recommend  the  perusal  of  these  monuments 
of  sacred  genius.  Beautifully  and  no  less  correctly  has  he 
said,  "  As  Edwards  constrains  to  closeness  of  thought  • 
as  Ho^VE  inspires  sublimity  of  sentiment  ;  as  Bates  lights 
up  the  soul  with  a  soft  and  silvery  hght ;  as  Owen  lades 
the  mind  with  a  harvest  of  rich  knowledge ;  as  Taylor 
cheers  the  imagination  with  a  vintage  of  dehcious  grapes  ; 
as  Baxter  fires  the  soul  with  longings  for  salvation,  first 
of  ourselves  and  then  of  others ; — even  so  does  Adams 
lead  to  those  springs  of  graphic  power,  of  dramatic  gran- 
deur, and  of  subduing  pathos,  of  which  it  is  the  fear  of 
many  that  they  are  dried  up.  We  believe  they  are  not. 
We  cannot  but  think  there  are  minds  now  opening  on  the 
awful  solemnities  of  the  Christian  ministry  to  whom  this 


EARNESTNESS.  123 

example  will  be  inciting:  let  them  look  at  things  with 
their  own  eyes,  ponder  them  in  silent  and  lonely  thought, 
pray  over  the  fruits  of  such  meditations,  till  they  kindle 
into  living  pictures  ;  and  so  let  them  pour  out  their  feel- 
ings in  the  best  words  they  can  find ;  there  will  then  be  no 
just  complaint  of  the  want  of  power  and  originality  in  the 
English  pulpit." 


CHAPTEH   yi. 

EARNESTNESS    OF    MANNER,    CONTINUED, 

AS    MANIFESTED    IN    THE    DELIVERY    OF    SERMONS. 

Br  the  delivery  of  seraions  is  meant  voice  and  gesture, 
or  what  Demosthenes  called  action ;  who,  on  being  asked 
what  was  the  first  excellence  of  an  orator,  rephed,  "  Action :" 
what  the  second,  "  Act'k>n  :"  what  the  third,  "  Action."  An 
impressive  admonition,  this,  from  such  an  authority,  to  all 
preachers,  on  the  importance  of  that  part  of  our  subject 
which  we  are  now  considering. 

After  the  death  of  that  flaming  seraph,  Mr.  McCheyne, 
there  was  found  upon  his  desk  an  unopened  note  from  one 
who  had  heard  his  last  sermon,  to  this  effect :  "  Pardon  a 
stranger  for  addressing  to  you  a  few  lines.  I  heard  you 
preach  last  Sabbath  evening,  and  it  pleased  God  to  bless 
that  sennon  to  my  soul.  It  was  not  so  much  what  you 
said,  as  your  manner  of  speaking  it,  that  struck  me.  I 
saw  in  you  a  beauty  of  holiness  I  never  saw  before." 

This  is  only  one  instance  out  of  ten  thousand,  in  which 
the  earnestness  of  a  preacher's  manner  has  secured  that 
attention  to  his  matter  which  would  not  otherwise  have 
been  paid  to  it.  The  power  of  oratory  has  its  foundations 
in  the  principles  of  our  nature.  It  is  not  merely  that  ideas 
are  conveyed  by  articulate  language  through  the  ear  to 


EARNESTNESS    IN    DELIVERY.  125 

the  mind,  but  that  also  impression  is  produced  on  the  af- 
fections by  agreeable  tones  and  pleasant  modulations  of 
the  voice.  Hence  the  power  of  music  :  and  what  is  human 
speech  hut  music  ?  No  instrument  has  ever  yet  been  con- 
structed which  can  emit  sounds  so  exquisitely  moving  as 
the  human  voice.  Art  is  in  this  eflFect  still  below  nature. 
True  it  is,  that  we  must  go  to  the  best  of  voices  for  this 
superiority  ;  but  even  in  voices  far  below  the  best,  there  is 
an  expression  of  the  various  passions  which  no  instruments 
can  equal.  All  nations,  therefore,  savage  as  well  as  civil- 
ized, have  confessed  the  powers  of  oratory,  not  only  as  a 
vehicle  of  instruction,  but  as  a  means  of  impression.  It 
is  vain  to  pretend  that  matter  is,  or  ought  to  be,  every 
thing,  and  manner  nothing.  Truth,  it  may  be  said,  ought 
to  make  its  own  way,  independently  of  the  accompaniments 
of  good  elocution  and  graceful  action.  So  it  should,  but 
then  these  things  are  necessary,  in  many  cases,  to  gain  for 
it  attention,  and  to  secure  that  due  consideration  without 
which  it  can  make  no  impression.  Manner  is,  so  to  speak, 
the  harbinger  and  herald  of  matter,  summoning  the  facul- 
ties of  the  soul  to  give  audience  to  the  truth  to  be  commu- 
nicated, and  holding  the  mind  in  a  state  of  abstraction  from 
all  other  subjects  that  would  divert  the  thoughts  and  pre- 
vent impression.  It  is  not  only  the  more  illiterate  and  fee- 
ble-minded, not  only  the  multitude  who  are  led  by  feeling 
more  than  by  reason,  that  are  influenced  by  good  oratory, 
but  men  of  the  sturdiest  intellect  and  the  most  philosophic 
cast  of  mind.  The  soul  of  the  sage  as  well  as  of  the  sav- 
age is  formed  with  a  susceptibility  to  the  power  and  influ- 
ence of  music,  and  therefore  also  to  the  power  and  influ- 
ence of  elocution.  The  importance  of  manner  is  conse- 
quently great,  yea,  far  greater  than  either  tutors  or  preach- 
ers have  been  disposed  to  admit.  I  am  aware  that  a  good 
11* 


126  EARNESTNESS 

voice  is  necessary  to  good  speaking,  but  not  always  to 
earnest  speaking.  Nature  must  do  much  to  make  a  grace- 
ful and  finished  orator  ;  but  still,  in  the  absence  of  this,  an 
ardent  mind,  burning  for  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls, 
can,  by  an  impressive  earnestness  of  manner,  be  a  more  in- 
tense and  effective  speaker,  notwithstanding  naturally  weak 
and  unimpressive  organs  of  speech,  than  the  possessor  of 
the  finest  voice,  who  is  destitute  of  a  vivacious  and  ardent 
enunciation ;  just  as  an  exquisite  performer  can  bring  bet- 
ter music  out  of  a  bad  instrument,  than  a  bad  musician 
can  out  of  a  good  one.  What  may  be  done,  where  the 
mind  is  resolutely  bent  on  accomplishing  it,  for  supplying 
deficiencies  and  correcting  faults  in  elocution,  Demosthenes 
has  taught  us ;  and  were  half  or  a  tenth  part  of  the  pains 
taken  by  us  to  obtain  a  powerful  and  effective  method  of 
pulpit  address,  which  were  submitted  to  by  this  prince  of 
orators  to  become  an  effective  speaker ;  were  we  as  much 
set  upon  it  as  he  was,  and  were  we  to  give  ourselves  to  the 
same  means,  by  declaiming  to  the  waves  of  the  sea,  or  to 
the  winds  of  heaven,  determining  to  overcome  every  ob- 
stacle, we  too  should  be  orators,  and  that  in  a  still  better 
cause  than  his.  And  surely  if  ambition,  or  patriotism, 
prompted  the  Athenian  and  the  Roman  orator  to  such 
studies  and  such  efforts  for  self-improvement,  ought  not 
the  love  of  souls,  zeal  for  God,  and  the  interests  of  eternity, 
to  prompt  us  to  similar  endeavors  ?  Did  they  cultivate 
elocution  with  such  unwearied  perseverance  to  counteract 
the  designs  of  Philip,  or  to  defeat  the  conspiracies  of  Cata- 
line,  and  shall  we  not  do  it,  to  destroy  the  works  of  the 
devil,  and  to  advance  the  kinefdom  of  the  Redeemer  ? 

It  is  impossible  not  to  know  how  much  the  popularity 
of  some  preachers  depends  upon  their  manner :  they  do 
not  say  better,  or  more  striking  things,  than  other  men ; 


IN    DELIVERY.  12*7 

but  they  say  them  in  a  better  and  more  striking  manner. 
There  is  a  pathos  in  their  tones,  a  power  in  their  looks,  a 
gracefulness  in  their  gestures,  which  other  men  have  never 
studied,  and  therefore  have  never  acquired.  This  was 
eminently  the  case  with  Whitfield,  the  greatest  of 
preachers.  Much  of  the  wondrous  power  of  that  extraor- 
dinary man  lay  in  his  voice  and  action.  I  have  already 
given  an  extract  from  his  sermons  to  illustrate  his  manner 
as  regards  style  of  composition,  but  who  that  never  heard 
him,  or  indeed  who  that  had,  could  illustrate  his  manner 
as  regards  delivery  ?  Think  of  such  paragraphs  as  those 
I  have  just  quoted,  delivered  in  a  manner  appropriate  to 
their  nature  ;  w^ith  an  eye  melting  into  tears ;  a  voice  trem- 
ulous with  emotion — ^shrill,  yet  full,  now  swelling  into  thun- 
der, and  then  dying  away  again  into  soft  whispers ;  one 
moment  apostrophizing  to  God,  and  the  next  piercing  the 
sinner's  conscience  with  an  appeal  that  was  as  sharp  ar- 
rows of  the  Almighty ;  at  one  time  pouring  out  a  stream 
of  impassioned  pity  for  the  sinner,  and  the  next  moment  a 
torrent  of  burning  indignation  against  his  sin ;  his  very 
hands  all  the  while,  and  every  gesture,  seeming  to  help  his 
laboring  soul  and  his  matchless  elocution :  and  all  this,  to 
the  conviction  of  his  heai-.ers,  not  the  trickery  of  an  artifi- 
cial rhetoric,  nor  the  effoi't  of  a  man  striving  after  popu- 
larity, but  the  spontaneous  gushing  forth  of  a  heart  agoniz- 
ing for  the  salvation  of  their  immortal  souls !  What  ora- 
tory must  that  have  been  whi«h  extorted  from  the  skeptical 
and  fastidious  Hume  the  confession  that  it  was  worth  going 
twenty  miles  to  hear  it — which  interested  the  infidel  Bo- 
LiNGBROKE,  and  once  warmed  even  the  cold  and  cautious 
Franklin  into  enthusiasm  ?  In  those  discourses  which 
roused  a  slumbering  nation  from  the  torpor  of  lukewarm- 
ness,  and  breathed  new  life  into  its  dying  piety,  you  will 


128  EARNESTNESS 

find  no  profound  speculation,  no  subtle  reasoning,  no  meta- 
physical dis(juisition ;  for  these  never  formed,  and  never 
can  form,  the  staple  of  pulpit  eloquence  :  but  you  will  find 
*'  thoughts  that  breathe,  and  words  that  burn,"  and  which, 
when  enunciated  with  the  magic  of  his  wondrous  voice, 
spoke,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  life  into  thousands  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins.  As  a  proof  of  the  all-subduing  power 
of  his  oratory,  take  the  following  scene,  extracted  from  his 
Life  and  Times  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Philip  : — 

"In  February,  1742,  WmxFiELD  returned  to  London,  where 
'  life  and  power  soon  flew  all  around'  him  again ;  '  the  Redeemer 
getting  himself  victory  daily  in  many  hearts.'  The  renewed 
progress  of  the  Gospel  at  this  time  in  London,  he  calls  emphati- 
cally ,  '  the  Redeemer's  stately  steps.''  Well  he  might ;  for  dur- 
ing the  Easter  holidays,  '  Satan's  booths'  in  Moorfields  poured  out 
their  thousands  to  hear  him.  This  determined  him  to  dare  all 
hazards  on  Whit-Monday,  the  great  gala-day  of  vanity  and  vice 
there.  Gillies'  account  of  this  enterprise,  although  not  incor- 
rect nor  uninteresting,  is  very  incomplete,  considering  the  fame 
•f  the  feat  at  the  time.  The  following  account  is  from  the  pen 
of  WmxFiELD  himself;  and  written  whilst  he  was  reporting,  at 
home  and  abroad,  his  marriage. 

"  For  many  years,  from  one  end  of  Moorfields  to  the  other, 
booths  of  all  kinds  have  been  erected  for  mountebanks,  players, 
puppet-shows,  and  such  hke.  With  a  heart  bleeding  with  com- 
passion for  so  many  thousands  led  captive  by  the  devil  at  his  will, 
on  Whit-Monday,  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  attended  by  a 
large  congregation  of  praying  people,  I  ventured  to  lift  up  a 
standard  amongst  them  in  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  Per- 
haps there  were  about  ten  thousand  in  waiting,  not  for  me,  but 
for  Satan's  instruments  to  amuse  them.  Glad  was  I  to  find,  that 
I  had  for  once,  as  it  were,  got  the  start  of  the  devil.  I  mounted 
my  field  pulpit ;  almost  all  flocked  immediately  around  it.  I 
preached  on  these  words, '  As  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the 
wilderness,  so  shall  the  Son  of  man  be  lifted  up,'  etc.    They  gazed, 


IN    DELIVERY.  129 

they  listened,  they  wept ;  and  I  believe  that  many  felt  themselves 
stung  with  deep  conviction  for  their  past  sins.  All  was  hushed 
and  solemn.  Being  thus  encouraged,  I  ventured  out  again  at 
noon  ;  but  what  a  scene  !  The  fields,  the  whole  fields  seemed, 
in  a  bad  sense  of  the  word,  all  white,  ready,  not  for  the  Redeem- 
er's, but  Beelzebub's  harvest.  All  his  agents  were  in  full  motion, 
drummers,  trumpeters,  merrry-andrews,  masters  of  puppet-shows, 
exhibitors  of  wild  beasts,  players,  etc.,  etc.,  all  busy  in  entertain- 
ing their  respective  auditories.  I  suppose  there  could  not  be  less 
than  twenty  or  thirty  thousand  people.  My  pulpit  was  fixed  on  the 
opposite  side,  and  immediately,  to  their  great  mortification,  they 
found  the  number  of  their  attendants  sadly  lessened.  Judging  that, 
like  Saint  Paul,  I  should  now  be  called  as  it  were  to  fight  with 
beasts  at  Ephesus,  I  preached  from  these  words :  '  Great  is  Diana 
of  the  Ephesians.'  You  may  easily  guess  that  there  was  some 
noise  among  the  craftsmen,  and  that  I  was  honored  with  having  a 
few  stones,  dirt,  rotten  eggs,  and  pieces  of  dead  cats  thrown  at  me, 
whilst  engaged  in  calling  them  from  their  favorite,  but  lying  van- 
ities. My  soul  was  indeed  among  lions :  but  far  the  greatest  part 
of  my  congregation,  which  was  very  large,  seemed  for  awhile  to 
be  turned  into  lambs.  This  encouraged  me  to  give  notice  that  I 
would  preach  again  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening.  I  came,  I  saw, 
but  what  ?  thousands  and  thousands  more  than  before,  if  possible, 
still  more  deeply  engaged  in  their  unhappy  diversions  ;  but  some 
thousands  amongst  them  waiting  as  earnestly  to  hear  the  gospel. 
This  Satan  could  not  brook.  One  of  his  choicest  servants 
was  exhibiting,  trumpeting  on  a  large  stage  ;  but  as  soon  as  the 
people  saw  me  in  my  black  robes  and  my  pulpit,  I  think  all  to  a 
man  left  him  and  ran  to  me.  For  a  while  I  was  enabled  to  lift 
up  my  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  many  heard  the  joyful  sound. 
God's  people  kept  praying,  and  the  enemy's  agents  made  a  kind 
of  roaring  at  some  distance  from  our  camp.  At  length  they 
approached  nearer,  and  the  merry-andrew  (attended  by  others, 
who  complained  that  they  had  taken  many  pounds  less  that  day 
on  account  of  my  preaching)  got  upon  a  man's  shoulders,  and, 
advancing  near  the  pulpit,  attempted  to  slash  me  with  a  long  heavy 
whip  several  times,  but  always  with  the  violence  of  his  motion 


130  EARNESTNESS 

tumbled  dowci.  Soon  a  terwards  they  got  a  recruiting  serjeant 
with  his  drum,  etc.,  to  pass  through  the  congregation.  I  gave 
the  word  of  command,  and  ordered  that  way  might  be  made  for 
the  king's  officer.  The  ranks  opened  while  all  marched  quietly 
through,  and  then  closed  again.  Finding  those  efforts  to  fail,  a 
large  body  quite  on  the  opposite  side  assembled  together,  and 
having  got  a  large  pole  for  their  standard,  advanced  towards  us 
with  steady  and  formidable  steps,  till  they  came  very  near  the 
skirts  of  our  hearing,  praying,  and  almost  undaunted  congrega- 
tion. I  saw,  gave  warning,  and  prayed  to  the  Captain  of  our 
salvation  for  present  support  and  deliverance.  He  heard  and 
answered  ;  for  just  as  they  approached  us  with  looks  full  of  re- 
sentment, I  know  not  by  what  accidont,  they  quarrelled  among 
themselves,  threw  down  their  staff,  and  went  their  way,  leaving, 
however,  many  of  their  company  behind,  who,  before  we  had  done, 
I  trust,  were  brought  over  to  join  the  besieged  party.  I  think  I 
continued  in  praying,  preaching,  and  singing,  (for  the  noise  was 
too  great  at  times  to  preach)  about  three  hours. 

"  We  then  retired  to  the  Tabernacle,  with  my  pockets  full  of 
notes  from  persons  brought  under  concern,  and  read  them  amidst 
the  praises  and  spiritual  acclamations  of  thousands,  who  joined 
with  the  holy  angels  in  rejoicing  that  so  many  sinners  were 
snatched,  in  such  an  unexpected,  unlikely  place  and  manner,  out 
of  the  very  jaws  of  the  devil.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the 
Tabernacle  society.  Three  hundred  and  fifty  awakened  souls 
were  received  in  one  day,  and  I  believe  the  number  of  notes  ex- 
ceeded a  thousand  ;  but  I  must  have  done,  believing  you  want  to 
retire  to  join  in  mutual  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  God  and  the 
Lamb." 

I  shall  perhaps  hazard  my  reputation  as  a  judge  of  ora- 
torical power,  when  I  venture  to  pronounce  this  the  great- 
est achievement  of  elocution  which  the  history  of  the 
world  presents,  next  to  the  splendid  triumphs  of  the  apos- 
tle Peter's  sermon,  over  the  murderers  of  Christ  on  the 
day  of  Pentecost.     Who  that  considers  the  spot  on  which 


IN    DELIVERY.  131 

Wmjtfield  then  stood ;  the  scenes  by  which  he  was  then 
surrounded  ;  the  discordant  noises  of  the  motley  crew, 
which  then  rung  in  his  ears,  and  in  the  ears  of  his  audi- 
ence ;  who,  in  short,  that  recollects  what  is  the  wild  uproar 
and  the  hurly-burly  of  a  London  popular  fair,  must  not 
stand  astonished,  first  at  the  courage  of  the  man  who  could 
erect  his  pulpit,  and  preach  a  sermon  in  such  a  scene  ;  and 
then  wonder  still  more  at  the  marvellous  success  of  his 
effort,  in  the  conversion  of  hundreds  of  souls  by  that  one 
discourse  ?  What,  I  ask,  was  the  effect  of  the  orations  of 
Demosthenes  on  the  Athenians,  in  rousing  them  against 
Philip  of  Macedon,  compared  with  this  ?  The  illustrious 
Grecian  had  everything  which  the  scenery,  and  the  historic 
associations  that  connected  themselves  with  it,  everything 
which  the  prepared  mind  of  his  audience  could  give,  in  the 
way  of  advantage,  to  his  splendid  declamation  and  its 
success ;  but  the  Christian  orator  had  to  combat  with,  and 
to  tiiumph  over,  everything  tliat  seemed  inliarmonious 
with  his  theme,  and  opposed  to  the  accomplishment  of  his 
object :  and  what  must  have  been  the  magic  power  of  that 
elocution  which  could  bhnd  the  eyes  and  deafen  the  ears  of 
an  audience  to  the  sights  and  sounds  so  near  them,  and 
produce  such  fixedness  of  attention,  and  power  of  abstrac- 
tion, even  there,  as  to  leave  them  at  liberty  for  those 
processes  of  thought,  which  resulted  in  the  con\'ersion  of 
hundreds  to  God ! 

And  to  what,  in  the  way  of  instrumentality,  shall  we 
attribute  this  astonishing  effect  ?  I  answer  to  the  power 
of  his  wonderful  oratory.  This  fact  has  stood  for  a  cen- 
tury upon  record,  and  yet  we  have  been  slow  to  learn 
from  it  the  lessons  it  is  adapted  to  teach  ;  and  among  these 
lessons  the  chief  is  the  effect  produced  by  a  commanding 
method  of  address,  in  circumstances  apparently  the  most 


132  EARNESTNESS 

unlikely  for  such  a  result.  I  am  not  calling  upon  my 
brethren  to  imitate  this  daring  attack  upon  the  very  citadel 
of  Satan :  even  Whitfield  never,  I  believe,  repeated  it, 
and  perhaps  ought  never  to  have  attempted  it ,'  but  my 
object  is  to  show  the  power  of  voice  and  action,  and  the 
nature  of  ministerial  earnestness. 

I  now  bring  forward  another  proof  of  this,  which,  if  it 
be  less  grand  and  commanding  in  itself,  is  perhaps  as  likely 
to  be  useful  to  the  readers  of  this  little  work,  because  it  is 
an  instance  brought  nearer  to  their  own  times,  and  to  the 
level  of  their  own  circumstances  :  I  mean  the  truly  inter- 
esting and  much  lamented  Mr.  Spencer,  of  Liverpool.  In 
reference  to  this  transcendent  young  preacher,  Mr.  Hall 
remarks,  "The  writer  of  this  deeply  regrets  his  never 
having  had  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  his  extraordinary 
powers  ;  but  from  all  he  has  heard  from  the  best  judges, 
he  can  entertain  no  doubt  that  his  talents  in  the  pulpit  were 
unrivalled,  and  that,  had  his  life  been  spared,  he  would,  in 
all  probability,  have  carried  the  art  of  preaching  to  a  greater 
perfection  than  it  ever  attained,  at  least  in  this  kingdom. 
His  eloquence  appears  to  have  been  of  the  purest  stamp, 
effective,  not  ostentatious  ;  consisting  less  in  the  preponder- 
ance of  any  one  quality  requisite  to  form  a  pubhc  speaker, 
than  in  an  exquisite  combination  of  them  all ;  whence 
resulted  an  extraordinary  power  of  impression,  which  was 
greatly  aided  by  a  natural  and  majestic  elocution."  In 
this  last  expression  Mr.  Hall  has  disclosed  much  of  the 
secret  of  Mr.  Spencer's  popularity  and  usefulness :  "  a 
natural  and  majestic  elocution,"  accompanied  with  a  most 
engaging  countenance  and  form,  setting  forth,  with  simple 
and  unaffected  earnestness  of  manner,  the  grand  doctrines 
of  evangelical  truth,  constituted  the  charm,  and  led  to  the 
success,  of  this  most  captivating  preacher  of  modern  times. 


IN    DELIVERY.  133 

Let  the  young  ministers  of  this  age  read  his  Life  and 
Remains,  as  published  by  his  gifted  successor,  Dr.  Raf- 
fles, and  also  his  posthumous  sermons  which  have  been 
since  given  to  the  world,  and  they  will  find  nothing  what- 
ever of  extraordinary  genius ;  no  lofty  eloquence,  in  the 
usual  acceptation  of  that  term ;  no  profound  speculation ; 
no  splendid  imagery  or  diction ; — but  at  every  step  they 
will  meet  with  the  doctrine  of  Christ  crucified  set  forth 
with  manly  vigor,  in  plain,  perspicuous  language ;  the 
utterances  of  a  mind  well  instructed  in  the  way  of  salva- 
tion, and  of  a  heart  overflowing  for  the  good  of  his  fellow- 
creatures.  To  what  then  shall  we  attribute,  under  God, 
his  success,  not  only  in  filhng  the  large  town  in  which  he 
lived,  and  the  nation  at  large,  with  his  fame,  but  what  was 
infinitely  more  important  in  itself,  and  far  more  eagerly 
coveted  by  him,  in  bringing  so  many  souls  to  Christ? 
There  is  but  one  answer  to  be  given  to  this,  and  that  is,  it 
was  the  fascination  of  his  manner.  He  was  in  earnest. 
The  stream  of  his  simple,  elegant,  but  by  no  means  pro- 
found thought,  flowed  forth  with  a  resistless  impetuosity 
that  carried  away  his  hearers  before  it.  I  know  no  more 
important  lesson  to  be  learnt,  no  inference  more  valuable 
to  be  drawn  from  the  short  life  of  this  most  interesting 
young  man,  so  mysteriously  cut  off"  at  the  very  commence- 
ment of  his  career,  than  the  vast  importance  of  an  anima- 
ted manner  of  preaching  the  gospel. 

We  may  here  advert  to  another  individual,  who  was 
considered  to  be  one  of  the  most  impressive  preachers,  in 
a  particular  way,  of  his  times,  the  late  Mr.  Toller,  of 
Kettering,  and  who  also,  no  doubt,  owed  much  to  his  mode 
of  address,  for  the  effect  which  his  sermons  produced: 
and  the  eff"ect  in  this  instance  proves  that  vehemence,  bois- 
terousness,  and  vociferation,  are  not  essential  to  earnestness 
12 


134  EARNESTNESS 

and  deep  impression,  for  nothing  could  be  more  calm  and 
more  subdued,  though  nothing  more  solemnly  commanding, 
than  his  whole  demeanor  in  the  pulpit.  His  printed  ser- 
mons are  characterized  by  manly  stiength  ol  thought,  ut- 
tered in  language  of  great  perspicuity,  though  not  irradiated 
by  the  coruscations  of  what  might  be  termed  a  brilliant 
genius.  "  A  noble  simplicity  and  careless  grandeur,"  says 
Mr,  Hall,  with  whom  he  lived  on  terms  of  most  intimate 
friendship,  "were  the  distinguishing  features  of  his  elo- 
quence." There  was  an  irresistible  charm  in  his  manner, 
which  threw  a  spell  over  all  his  hearers,  and  which  fasci- 
nated alike  the  learned  and  illiterate ;  he  made  the  latter 
to  understand,  and  the  former  to  feel.  I  never  heard  him 
but  once,  but  it  was  a  memorable  occasion,  on  the  ordina- 
tion of  Mr.  Robertson,  of  Stretton,  w^hen  Mr.  Hall  deliv- 
ered the  admirable  charge  w^hich  was  afterwards  published 
under  the  title  of  "  The  Ditficulties  and  Encouragements  of 
the  Christian  Minister."  It  is  impossible  ever  to  forget, 
and  equally  so  to  desciibe,  the  effect  produced  by  two  such 
preachers  on  such  an  occasion :  it  was  the  first  time  I  had 
ever  heard  either  of  them,  and  the  last  that  I  ever  heard 
Mr.  Toller,  and  it  almost  seemed  as  if  I  had  never  heard 
preaching  before  :  both  were  excited,  no  doubt,  and  stimu- 
lated to  do  their  best,  not  only  by  the  occasion,  but  by  the 
presence  of  each  other.  The  terms  employed  by  Mr. 
Toller's  biographer  were  the  most  appropriate  that  could 
be  selected  to  describe  his  style  and  manner, — *'  simplicity 
and  careless  grandeur."  It  was  impossible  not  to  hsten ; 
neither  eye  nor  ear  played  truant  for  a  moment,  while  he 
was  preaching  :  his  delivery  was  not  the  rushing  torrent  of 
impassioned  eloquence  which  gushed  afterwards  from  the 
lips  of  his  wonderful  fellow-laborer,  but  the  majestic, 
iilent  flow  of  a  noble  river.     "  In  the  power  of  awakening 


IN    DEMVERY.  135 

pathetic  emotions,"  says  Mr.  Hall,  in  his  Memoir,  "  he  has 
excelled  any  preacher  it  has  been  my  lot  to  hear.  Often 
have  I  seen  a  whole  congregation  melted  under  him  like 
wax  before  the  sun :  my  own  feelings  on  more  than  one 
occasion,  have  approached  to  an  overpowering  agitation. 
The  effect  was  produced,  apparently,  with  perfect  ease.  No 
elaborate  preparation,  no  peculiar  vehemence  or  intensity 
of  tones,  no  artful  accumulation  of  pathetic  images,  led  the 
way  :  the  mind  was  captivated  and  subdued,  it  hardly 
knew  how.  Though  it  will  not  be  imagined  that  this 
triumph  of  popular  eloquence  could  be  habitual,  much 
less  constant,  it  may  be  safely  affirmed  that  a  large  propor- 
tion of  Mr.  Toller's  discourses  afforded  some  indications 
of  these  powers."  The  following  is  Mr.  Hall's  descrip- 
tion of  the  effect  of  two  sermons  preached  in  his  hearing 
by  this  distinguished  man  : — 

"It  was  about  this  period  (1796)  that  my  acquaintance  with 
him  commenced.  I  had  known  him  previously,  and  occasionally 
heard  him  ;  but  it  was  at  a  season  when  I  was  not  qualified  to 
form  a  correct  estimate  of  his  talents.  At  the  time  referred  to, 
we  were  engaged  to  preach  a  double  lecture  at  Thrapstone,  nine 
miles  from  Kettering ;  and  never  shall  I  forget  the  surprise  and 
pleasure  with  which  I  listened  to  an  expository  discourse,  from 
1  Peter,  ii.  1,  3.  The  richness,  the  unction,  the  simple  majesty 
which  pervaded  his  address,  produced  a  sensation  which  I  never 
felt  before :  it  gave  me  a  new  view  of  the  Christian  ministry. 
But  the  effect,  powerful  as  it  was,  was  not  to  be  compared  with 
that  which  I  experienced  on  hearing  him  preach  at  the  half-yearly 
meeting  of  the  Association,  at  Bedford.  The  text  which  he 
selected  was  peculiarly  solemn  and  impressive ;  his  discourse  was 
founded  on  2  Peter,  i.  13,  1 5,  '  Yea,  I  think  it  meet  as  long  as  I 
am  in  this  tabernacle,  to  stir  you  up  by  putting  you  in  remem- 
brance :  knowing  that  shortly  I  must  put  off  this  my  tabernable, 
etc.     The  effect  of  this  discourse  on  the  audience  was  such  as  I 


136  EARNESTNESS 

have  never  witnessed  before  or  since.  It  was  undoubtedly  very 
much  aided  by  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  speaker,  who 
was  judged  to  be  far  advanced  in  a  decline,  and  who  seemed  to 
speak  under  the  impression  of  its  being  the  last  time  he  should 
address  his  brethren  on  such  an  occasion.  The  aspect  of  the 
preacher,  pale,  emaciated,  standing  apparently  on  the  verge  of 
eternity,  the  simplicity  and  majesty  of  his  sentiments,  the  sepul- 
chral solemnity  of  a  voice  which  seemed  to  issue  from  the  shades, 
combined  with  the  instrinsic  dignity  of  the  subject,  perfectly 
quelled  the  audience  with  tenderness  and  terror,  and  produced 
such  a  scene  of  audible  weeping  as  was  perhaps  never  surpassed. 
All  other  emotions  were  absorbed  in  devotional  feeling :  it 
seemed  to  us  as  though  we  were  permitted  for  a  short  space  to 
look  into  eternity,  and  every  sublunary  object  vanished  before 
'  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come.'  Yet  there  was  no  considera- 
ble exertion,  no  vehemence,  no  splendid  imagery,  no  magnificent 
description :  it  was  the  simple  declaration  of  truth,  of  truth,  in- 
deed, of  infinite  moment,  home  in  upon  the  lieart  by  a  mind  in- 
tensely  alive  to  its  reality  and  grandeur.  Criticism  was  disarmed ; 
the  hearer  felt  himself  elevated  to  a  region  which  it  could  not 
penetrate ;  all  was  powerless  submission  to  the  master  spirit  of 
the  scene.  It  will  be  always  considered  by  those  who  witnessed 
it,  as  affording  as  high  a  specimen  as  can  be  easily  conceived,  of 
the  power  of  a  preacher  over  his  audience,  the  habitual  or  even 
frequent  recurrence  of  which  would  create  an  epoch  in  the  re- 
ligious history  of  the  world."* 

This  description,  even  though  some  allowance  should  be 
made  for  the  eloquence  of  friendship,  which  was  poured 
forth  by  the  pen  of  Mr.  Toller's  admiring  friend,  is  re- 
plete with  instruction  to  our  rising  ministry.  They  may 
learn  the  vast  importance  of  the  manner  in  which  a  sermon 
is  delivered,  as  well  as  the  matter  of  which  it  is  cf>mposed  ; 


*  Memoirs  of  Mr.  Tolt,er,  by  Mr.  Hall,  prefixed  to  a  volume  o 
Mr,  ToLi  er's  sermons. 


IN    DELIVERY.  13 Y 

for,  with  all  his  vigorous  and  manly  thought,  Mr.  Toller 
owed  much  as  a  preacher  to  his  method  of  address.  Nor 
is  this  the  only  lesson,  nor  perhaps  the  most  important 
one,  to  be  learnt  from  this  short  but  precious  piece  of 
ministerial  biography ;  for  we  gather  what  it  is  that,  with 
minds  of  the  highest  order,  such  as  Mr.  Hall's,  constitutes 
the  nearest  approach  to  perfect  pulpit  eloquence,  and  to 
which  even  these  commanding  intellects  yield  themselves 
up  with  the  most  willing  submission — not  the  artificial 
elaboration  of  men  intent  upon  producing  a  great  sermon ; 
not  the  magniloquent  diction  and  splendid  imagery,  which 
have  been  sought  with  ambitious  eagerness  by  those  who 
aim  to  shine ;  nor  the  cold,  abstract,  philosophical  reason- 
ing of  a  metaphysical  dialectician ;  but  the  simplicity  and 
earnestness  of  a  preacher  who  aims  to  instruct  the  judg- 
ment, awaken  the  conscience,  and  affect  the  heart.  All 
great  minds  love  simplicity,  and  detest  affectation.  This 
was  especially  the  case  with  Mr.  Hall.  His  censure  of 
the  opposite  quality  to  unaffected  earnestness,  amounted 
sometimes  to  eloquent  extravagance  and  burlesque,  and  his 
sarcasms  not  unfrequently  were  tinged  with  uncharitable 
bitterness;  while  his  admiration  of  simplicity  was  occa- 
sionally expressed  in  somewhat  exaggerated  panegyric. 
The  ambition  of  a  preacher  whose  aim  is  usefulness  might 
well  be  gratified  in  a  remark  which  he  once  made  after 
hearing  a  sermon  :  "  I  should  not  wonder  if  a  hundred 
souls  were  converted  to-night !" 

These  are  only  a  few  out  of  innumerable  instances 
which  could  be  adduced,  to  prove  the  vast  importance 
which  belongs  to  an  effective  enunciation.  Far  greater 
numbers  of  our  preachers  fail  for  want  of  this  than  from 
any  other  cause ;  a  fact  so  notorious  as  to  need  no  proof 
beyond  common   observation,  and  so  impressive  as  to  de* 

12* 


138  EARNESTNESS 

inand  the  attention  not  only  of  the  professors  but  the  com- 
mittees of  all  our  colleges.  It  is  too  generally  the  case 
that  no  sufficient  culture  is  bestowed  upon  the  speaking 
powers  of  our  students,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of 
their  course  of  study.  There  is  great  assiduity  manifested 
in  giving  them  a  fulness  of  matter,  but  far  too  httle  in  pro- 
ducing an  impressiveness  of  maimer.  Every  assistance 
is  granted  to  them  to  make  them  scholars,  philosophers, 
and  divines ;  but  as  to  good  speaking,  for  the  acquisition 
of  this  they  are  left  pretty  much  to  themselves.  Nay,  it 
is  not  even  inculcated  upon  them  with  the  emphasis  it 
should  be,  to  try  to  make  good  speakers  of  themselves. 
A  complete  system  of  ministerial  education  must  of  neces- 
sity include  some  attention  to  elocution,  and  which  should 
commence  as  soon  as  a  student  enters  college  :  so  that  by 
the  time  he  is  put  upon  the  preaching  list  he  may  have 
some  aptitude  for  the  management  of  his  voice,  and  not 
have  his  thoughts  diverted  then  from  his  matter  and  his 
object  to  his  manner.  He  should  by  that  time  have 
acquired  a  hahit  of  good  speaking,  so  as  to  be  able  to  prac- 
tice it  with  facility,  and  v»-ithout  study.  The  great  objec- 
tion to  lectures  on  elocution  is  that  they  are  apt  to  pro- 
duce a  pompous,  stiff,  and  affected  manner ;  but  this  is  an 
abuse  of  the  art,  the  object  of  which  should  be  to  cure  tlie 
vices  of  a  bad,  and  to  supply  the  wants  of  a  defective 
enunciation,  and  to  form  an  easy,  natural,  and  impressive 
delivery. 

I  entirely  concur,  therefore,  with  Dr.  Vaughan,  in  his 
important  and  impressive  remark,  "that  let  our  students 
fail  in  the  matter  of  a  good  elocution,  and  so  far  as  regards 
their  ministry  among  Protestant  dissenters,  it  will  matter 
little  in  what  else  they  may  succeed."  This  is  sustained 
by  a   reference   to    the   great   number    Ave   observe,  who. 


IN   DELIVERY.  139 

though  soundly  orthodox  in  sentiment,  possessed  of  large 
acquirements  in  scholarship  and  philosophy,  partakers  of 
undoubted  piety,  and  even  desirous  of  doing  good — yet 
make  no  way,  can  with  difficulty  procure  a  situation,  and 
are  filled,  perhaps,  with  wonder,  that  men  very  much 
their  inferiors  in  natural  talent  and  Uterary  acquirement, 
are  everywhere  followed,  while  they  are  everywhere  neg- 
lected. The  problem  is  easily  solved,  the  mystery  soon 
explained  :  these  inferior  men,  by  their  earnest,  animated 
manner,  make  their  slenderer  abihties  tell  more  upon  the 
popular  mind,  and  heart,  and  conscience,  than  the  dull 
scholars  and  cold  philosophers  do  their  accumulated  but 
useless  stores  of  knowledge. 

It  should,  however,  be  remarked,  that  there  is  nothing 
more  likely  to  be  mistaken  than  animation  in  the  pulpit. 
There  are  some  young  ministers,  who,  aware  of  the  im- 
portance of  a  graceful  and  effective  elocution,  take  no  small 
pains  to  acquire  it,  by  studying  and  practicing  the  most 
approved  rules  of  the  art.  It  is  not,  however,  this  alone 
for  which  I  contend  :  for  as  the  lessons  of  the  dancing- 
master  form  only  a  stiff  and  formal  action,  where  there  is 
no  natural  ease  and  elegance,  so  also  the  teacher  of  elocu- 
tion can  do  little  to  form  an  earnest  and  energetic  speaker, 
where  there  is  no  hving  source  of  animation  in  the  soul. 
It  is  not  a  pompous,  swelling,  ore  rotundo  style  of  speaking 
that  constitutes  the  excellence  of  an  orator ;  not  "  the  start 
and  stare  theatric  ;"  not  modulations  of  the  voice  that 
sound  as  if  the  speaker  were  regulating  tones  and  cadences 
by  the  fugle  motions  of  a  teacher  standing  before  him  :  but 
the  impassioned  vivacity  of  one  who  feels  intensely  his 
subject,  and  who  speaks  under  the  influence  of  strong  emo- 
tion. The  secret  of  animation,  the  nature  of  earnestness, 
lie,  as  we  have  said,  m  an  intense  feeling  of  the  subject  of 


140  EARNESTNESS 

discourse ;  in  a  mind  deeply  impressed,  and  a  heart 
warmed,  with  the  theme  discussed.  All  men  are  in  ear- 
nest when  they  feel.  Hence  the  anecdote  of  the  pleader, 
who,  on  being  applied  to  by  a  client  to  undertake  her 
cause,  upon  perceiving  the  coldness  of  her  manner  in  stat- 
ing her  case,  told  the  applicant  he  did  not  credit  her  story. 
Stung  by  this  reflection  upon  her  veracity,  and  this  disbe- 
lief of  her  grievance,  she  rose  into  strong  emotion,  and 
affirmed,  with  expressive  vehemence,  the  truth  of  the 
story.     "  Now,  "  said  he,  "  I  believe  you." 

The  hackneyed,  but  valuable  nile  of  the  ancient  teacher 
of  eloquence  remains,  and  ever  will  remain,  as  true  as  when 
it  was  first  uttered — "Weep  yourself,  if  you  expect  me 
to  weep. "  Sympathy  is  the  speaker's  most  powerful 
auxiliary :  there  is  nothing  so  contagious  as  strong  emo- 
tion. We  have  most  of  us,  perhaps,  seen  a  large  portion 
of  a  congregation  brought  to  tears  by  the  pathetic  and 
faltering  tones,  the  tremulous  lips  and  suffused  eyes  of  the 
preacher.  But  then  it  must  be  on  a  subject  which  is 
worthy  of  it — must  be  sincere  and  not  simulated  emotion, 
and  must  come  only  when  the  people's  minds  are  prepared 
to  sympathize  ;  for  as  there  is  only  a  step  between  the 
sublime  and  the  ridiculous,  the  same  remark  may  be  made 
concerning  the  pathetic.  Genuine  emotion  is  the  charm 
of  all  speaking  upon  moral  and  religious  subjects,  in  the 
absence  of  which  the  most  measured  and  stately  elocution, 
whatever  pleasure  it  may  impart  to  the  ear,  will  have  little 
power  to  affect  the  heart.  We  have  sometimes  listened  to 
lofty  and  well  composed  music,  to  an  overture  for  instance, 
which  we  could  not  but  admire;  but  it  was  still  cold 
admiration,  for  the  whole  piece  had  not  a  note  of  passion 
from  beginning  to  end  :  but  some  simple  melody  followed 
it,  which,  by  tlie  pathos  of  its  notes,  or  the  power  of  its 


IN    DELIVERY.  141 

associations,  touched  every  chord  in  our  hearts,  and  raised 
m  us  a  tumult  of  emotion.  Thus  it  is  with  different 
preachers  :  we  hsten  to  one,  whose  excellent  composition, 
and  sonorous,  perhaps  even  musical  voice,  command  our 
admiration;  but  not  a  passion  stirs,  all  within  is  cold, 
quiet,  and  without  emotion ;  the  speaking  is  good,  but  it 
does  not  move  us  :  but  there  is  another,  with  perhaps  less 
talent,  yea,  less  oratory,  in  one  sense,  but  his  tone  his 
looks,  his  manner  throughout,  are  full  of  earnest  feeling ;  it 
is  a  strain,  every  word  of  which  comes  from  the  heart,  and 
every  word  of  which  awakens  by  sympathy  a  correspond- 
ent state  of  feeling  in  our  hearts. 

Who  is  likely  to  be  moved  by  hearing  a  man  discuss  the 
most  awful  realities  of  eternal  truth,  such  as  the  danger 
and  the  doom  of  immortal  souls,  the  glories  of  heaven, 
and  the  torments  of  hell,  with  as  much  coolness,  and  with 
as  little  emotion  as  a  lecturer  on  science  would  exhibit 
when  dwelling  on  the  facts  of  natural  history  ?  Is  it  prob- 
able there  can  be  any  earnestness  in  the  hearer,  when 
there, is  none  in  the  preacher  ?  "How  is  it,"  said  a  minis- 
ter to  an  actor,  ''that  your  performances,  which  are  but 
pictures  of  the  imagination,  produce  so  much  more  effect 
than  our  sermons,  which  are  all  realities?"  "Because," 
said  the  actor,  "  we  represent  our  fictions  as  though  they 
were  realities,  and  you  preach  your  realities  as  though 
they  were  fictions."  It  is  difficult  to  believe  that  a  dull, 
cold,  statue-like  preacher,  whose  passionless  monotony  is 
a  mental  opiate  for  his  hearers,  can  himself  credit  the  mes- 
sage he  is  delivering.  What,  that  man  who  never  elevates 
or  depresses  his  voice  from  one  given  pitch  of  soporific 
dullness ;  whose  tone  never  falters,  whose  eye  never  glis- 
tens, whose  hand  never  moves,  who  speaks  as  if  he  were 
afraid  of  awakening   the   slumberers,  whom  his  "drowsy 


142  EARNESTNESS 

tinklings"  had  lulled  to  sleep, — he  feel  the  weight  of  souls; 
he  in  earnest  for  their  salvation ;  he  endeavoring  to  pluck 
them  as  brands  from  the  burning?  Who  will  credit  it? 
It  is  true  he  may  have  no  great  power  of  voice,  and  a 
naturally  phlegmatic  mind,  with  a  great  deficiency  in  the 
natural  powers  of  oratory ;  but  place  him  by  the  side  of 
a  river  where  he  has  seen  a  fellow- creatiu-e  fall  into  the 
water,  and  has  thrown  a  plank  or  a  rope  to  aid  the  drown- 
ing man  to  escape,  will  he  not  have  power  of  voice,  and  of 
animated  tones,  and  of  persuasive  earnestness  there,  as  he 
directs  the  object  of  his  solicitude  to  the  means  of  deliver- 
ance ?  Will  he  not  rise  out  of  his  monotone  there  ?  Will 
he  not  make  himself  heard  and  felt  there  ? 

By  an  earnest  manner,  then,  is  meant,  the  enunciation 
that  is  dictated  by  a  deep  and  feehng  sense  of  the  im- 
portance of  our  message.  We  are  to  persuade,  to  entreat, 
to  beseech,  and  these  modes  of  speech  have  an  utterance 
of  their  own.  What  Paul's  manner  must  have  been,  how 
impassioned  and  impressive,  when  he  made  FeUx  tremble 
and  Festus  exclaim,  "  Thou  art  beside  thyself ;  much  learn- 
ing hath  made  thee  mad."  But  even  the  sublime  and 
awful  truths  of  revelation,  if  they  do  not  press  upon  the 
heart,  and  lay  hold  of,  tmd  possess  it,  will  be  but  coldly 
handled  and  feebly  discussed.  It  is  only  when  the  love  of 
Christ  constraineth  us,  and  beareth  us  away  as  with  the 
force  of  a  torrent,  that  we  shall  speak  with  a  manner  be- 
fitting our  great  theme.  If  we  are  not  intensely  real,  we 
shall  be  but  indifferent  preachers. 

This  shows  us  the  vast  moment  of  our  living  under  the 
powerful  impression  of  the  truths  we  preach.  We  can- 
not, like  the  actor,  have  a  stage  dress  and  character  to  put 
on  for  the  occasion,  and  put  off  when  the  curtain  drops. 
There  may  indeed   be  a  factitious  earnestness  excited   by 


IN    DELIVERY.  148 

the  sounds  of  our  own  voice,  and  by  the  solemnities  of 
public  worship  ;  but  this  will  usually  be  fitful,  feeble,  ora- 
torical, and  very  different  from  that  burning  ardor  which 
is  the  result  of  eminent  piety,  and  which  imparts  its  own 
intensity  of  emotion  to  the  words  and  tones  of  the  speaker. 
It  was  the  patriotism  of  Demosthenes  that  constituted  the 
fire  of  his  eloquence :  he  loved  his  country,  and,  trembling 
for  the  ruin  that  Philip  was  bringing  upon  the  hberties  of 
Greece,  he  poured  forth  his  lightning  words,  in  tones  of 
thunder.  His  philippics  were  a  toiTent  of  the  strongest 
emotion,  bursting  from  his  heart,  though  guided  in  its 
course  by  the  estabhshed  rules  of  eloquence.  He  could 
never  have  spoken  as  he  did,  had  not  the  wrongs  of  Philip, 
and  the  dangers  of  Greece,  entered  into  his  soul.  So 
must  it  be  with  us  :  our  animation  must  be  the  earnestness, 
not  of  rhetoric,  but  of  religion ;  not  of  art,  but  of  renewed 
nature  ;  and  not  designed  to  astound,  but  to  move ;  not 
the  manner  studied  and  intended  merely  to  attract  a  crowd, 
and  to  excite  applause,  but  to  save  the  souls  of  men  from 
death.  For  this  purpose,  whatever  means  we  employ, 
and  whatever  rules  we  lay  down,  to  cure  the  vices  of  a 
bad  elocution,  and  to  acquire  the  advantages  of  a  grace- 
ful one — and  such  an  aim  is  quite  lawful — we  must  ever 
remember  that  the  basis  of  a  powerful  and  effective  pulpit 
oratory,  will  consist  of  a  deep  and  fervent  piety ;  in  the 
labsence  of  which  the  most  commanding  gift  of  public 
speaking  will  be  but  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkhng 
cymbal. 

Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  in  his  beautiful  and  invaluable 
work,  now  nearly  forgotten,  entitled  "  The  Student  and 
Preacher,"  in  speaking  on  this  subject,  remarks  : — 

*'  It  is  a  pity  but  a  well  prepared  sermon  should  be  a  well  pro* 


144  EARNESTNESS 

nounced  one.  Wherefore  avoid  forever  all  vutnes  sine  mente 
sonos,  and  all  indecencies ;  everything  that  is  ridiculous.  Be 
sure  to  speak  deliberately.  Strike  the  accent  always  upon  the 
word  in  the  sentence  it  properly  belongs  unto.  A  tone  that  shall 
have  no  regard  to  this  is  very  injudicious,  and  will  make  you 
talk  too  much  in  the  clouds.  Do  not  begin  too  high.  Ever  con- 
clude with  vigor.  If  you  must  have  your  notes  before  you  in 
your  preaching,  and  it  be  needful  for  you  de  scripio  dicere, 
which  even  some  of  the  most  famous  orators,  both  among  the 
Grecians  and  the  Romans,  did,  yet  let  there  be  with  you  a  dis- 
tinction between  the  neat  using  of  notes,  and  the  dull  reading  of 
them.  Keep  up  the  air  and  life  of  speaking,  and  put  not  off 
your  hearers  with  a  heavy  reading  to  them.  How  can  you  de- 
mand of  them  to  remember  much  of  what  you  bring  to  them, 
when  you  remember  nothing  of  it  yourself  ?  Besides,  by  read- 
ing all  you  say,  you  will  so  cramp  and  stunt  all  ability  for 
speaking,  that  you  will  be  unable  to  make  a  handsome  speech 
on  any  occasion.  What  I  therefore  advise  you  to  is,  let  your 
notes  be  little  more  than  a  guide,  on  which  you  may  cast  your 
eye  now  and  then,  to  see  what  arrow  is  to  be  next  fetched  from 
thence ;  and  then  with  your  eye  as  much  as  may  be  on  them 
whom  you  speak  to,  let  it  be  shot  away  with  a  vivacity  becom- 
ing one  in  earnest  for  to  have  the  truths  well  entertained  by  the 
auditory.  Finally  let  your  perorations  be  lively  expostulations 
with  the  conscience  of  the  hearer ;  appeals  made  and  questions 
put  unto  the  conscience,  and  consignments  of  the  work  over 
into  the  hands  of  that  flaming  preacher  in  the  bosom  of  the 
hearer.     In  such  flames  you  may  do  wondrously." 

Pity  that  Dr.  Mather  had  not  gone  a  little  farther  than 
this,  and  aflfectionately  advised  his  younger  brethren  in  the 
ministry  to  begin  their  career  without  any  notes  at  all  in 
the  pulpit ;  advice  still  more  necessary  in  this  day,  as  there 
seems  a  rising  inclination  to  adopt  the  practice.  Nothing 
can  be  conceived  of  more  likely  to  repress  earnestness, 
and  to  hinder  our  usefulness,  than  this  method  becoming 


IN    DELIVERY.  145 

general.  True  it  is  that  some  preachers  may  rise  up,  who, 
like  a  few  Hving  examples,  may  in  despite  of  this  practice 
attain  to  eminence,  to  honor,  and  usefulness,  such  as  rarely 
fall  to  the  lot  of  ministers  in  any  denomination ;  but  this 
will  not  be  the  case  with  the  greater  number,  who,  having 
no  commanding  intellect  to  lift  them  above  the  disadvan- 
tage of  this  habit,  will  find  few  churches  willing  to  accept 
their  dullness,  for  the  sake  of  the  accuracy  with  which  it  is 
expressed.  And  who  can  tell  how  much  greater  our 
greatest  men  would  be,  if  they  delivered  their  sermons 
without  their  notes  ?  Think  of  Whitfield,  Hall,  Par- 
sons, reading  their  sermons  !  What  a  restraint  upon  their 
noble  intellects,  and  their  gushing  hearts !  Where  is  read- 
ing tolerated  but  in  the  pulpit  ?  Not  on  the  stage,  nor  at 
the  bar,  nor  in  the  senate.  It  is  conceded  that  we  lose 
something  of  precision  and  accuracy  by  spoken  discourses, 
as  compared  with  those  that  are  read,  but  is  not  this  more 
than  made  up  by  what  we  gain  in  impression  ?  By  him 
who  slavishly  reads,  the  aid  borrowed  by  the  preaclier  from 
the  eye  and  graceful  action  is  lost ;  the  link  of  sympathy 
between  his  soul  and  that  of  the  audience  is  weakened  ; 
the  lightnings  of  his  eloquence  flash  less  vividly,  and  its 
thunders  roll  less  grandly,  for  this  obstruction  to  their  ef- 
forts. Perhaps  even  those  who  do  read  are  aware  of  the 
disadvantages  of  the  habit,  and  would  say  to  their  younger 
brethren,  whose  habits  are  not  yet  formed,  avoid,  if  you 
can,  the  practice  of  reading  your  discourses.  There  are, 
however,  occasions,  when  from  the  nature  and  extent  of  the 
subject,  this  practice  is  not  only  allowable,  but  necessary 

Before  we  pass  from  the  subject  of  preaching,  we  may 
consider  with  propriety  the  matter  and  manner  of  prayer. 
Between  these  two  there  is  a  close  and  obvious  connection, 
for  earnest  sermons  should  be  ever  associated  with  earnest 

13 


146  EARNESTNESS 

prayers ;  and  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  a  pious,  faithful, 
and  devoted  minister,  is  scarcely  less  useful,  at  least  in  the 
way  of  keeping  up  the  spirit  of  devotion  in  his  congrega- 
tion, by  the  latter,  than  he  is  by  the  former.  His  chastened 
fervor,  like  a  breeze  from  heaven,  comes  over  the  languid 
souls  of  his  hearers,  and  fans  the  spark  of  piety  in  their 
hearts  to  a  flame :  while  on  the  contrary,  the  dullness  and 
coldness  of  some  public  prayers  are  enough  to  freeze  what 
little  devotion  there  may  be  in  the  assembled  people.  We 
have  thought  too  little  of  this,  and  have  too  much  neglect- 
ed to  cultivate  the  gift,  and  seek  the  grace  of  supplica- 
tion. If  entreating  and  beseeching  importunity  be  proper 
in  dealmg  with  sinners  for  God,  can  it  be  less  so  in  deahng 
with  God  for  sinners  ?  Our  flocks  should  be  the  witnesses 
of  both  these,  and  hear  not  only  how  we  speak  to  them, 
but  how  we  plead  with  God  for  them ;  should  be  the 
auditors  of  our  agonizing  intercession  on  their  behalf;  and 
be  convinced  how  true  is  our  declaration  that  we  have 
them  in  our  hearts.  How  such  petitions,  so  full  of  intense 
affection  and  deep  solicitude,  would  tend  to  soften  their 
minds,  and  to  prepare  them  for  the  sermon  which  was  to 
follow.  Who  has  not  beheld  the  solemnizing  and  subdu- 
ing effect  of  such  holy  wrestling  with  God,  upon  the  con- 
gregation ?  they  seemed  to  feel  as  if  God  had  indeed  come 
down  among  them  in  power  and  glory  during  the  prayer, 
and  was  preparing  to  do  some  work  of  grace  in  their  midst. 
The  rudest  and  most  turbulent  spirits  have  sometimes  been 
awed,  and  the  most  trifling  and  frivolous  minds  made  seri- 
ous, by  this  holy  exercise.  We  who  practice  extempore 
prayer  have  advantages  for  this,  of  which  we  should  not 
be  slow  to  avail  ourselves.  Not  being  confined  by  the 
forms  of  a  liturgy,  but  left  to  our  own  choice,  we  can  give 
a  harmony  to  all  the  various  parts  of  the  service,  and 


IN    DELIVERY.  147 

make  tlie  scripture  we  read,  and  the  hymns  we  sing,  as 
well  as  the  prayers  we  present,  all  bear  upon  the  subject 
of  the  sermon,  and  thus  give  a  unity  of  design,  and  a  con- 
centration of  effect  to  the  solemn  engagements  of  the  sanc- 
tuary. This  should  be  an  object  with  every  minister,  in 
order  that  the  thoughts  of  the  people  may,  without  being 
divided  or  diverted,  flow  pretty  much  in  one  channel,  and 
towards  one  point.  Moral,  as  well  as  mechanical  effect, 
depends  upon  the  combination  of  many  seemingly  small 
causes.  But  more  especially  should  the  prayers  be  in  har- 
mony with  the  sermon,  and  every  preacher  knows  what 
the  sermon  is  to  be.  If  he  is  about  to  address  himself  in 
a  strain  of  beseeching  importunity  to  the  impenitent  and 
unbelieving,  how  much  would  it  tend  to  prepare  them  for 
his  appeal  if  his  heart  were  previously,  and  in  their  hear- 
ing, to  pour  forth  a  strain  of  fervent  pleading  with  God  on 
their  behalf.  They  would  thus  be  awed  and  subdued  into 
d  state  of  mind  likely  to  render  the  forthcoming  sermon 
effectual,  by  the  blessing  of  God,  for  their  conversion. 
Such  a  prayer  would  be  the  most  appropriate  introduction 
he  could  give  to  his  discourse.  But  then  especial  care 
should  be  taken  that  the  hymn,  and  even  the  tune,  which 
interposes  between  the  prayer  and  the  sermon,  should  not 
be  of  a  kind  which  would  divert  the  current  of  thought,  much 
less  efface  the  solemn  impressions  already  produced,  and 
hinder  the  effect  of  the  discourse  about  to  be  delivered.  I 
remember  to  have  heard  a  preacher,  who  was  going  to 
preach  a  very  solemn  sermon,  breathe  out  one  of  the  most 
impressive  strains  of  intercession  for  the  impenitent  I  ever 
hstened  to,  as  if  even  anxious  to  begin  the  work  of  conver- 
sion by  his  prayer,  which  he  hoped  to  finish  by  his  sermon. 
The  people  sat  down  in  solemn  awe,  when,  as  if  by  a 
prompting  of  the  wicked  one,  who  catches  away  the  seed 


148  EARNESTNESS 

out  of  the  heart,  the  clerk  gave  out  a  most  inappropriate 
hymn,  and  the  choir,  with  a  band  of  musical  instruments, 
sung  a  tune  more  inappropriate  still  :  as  may  be  easily 
imagined,  the  seriousness  produced  by  the  prayer  was  in- 
stantly lost,  and  the  preparation  for  the  sermon  entirely 
destroyed.  How  true  is  it  that  the  singing  seat  is  often 
hostile  to  the  usefulness  of  the  pulpit,  and  the  choir  in  op- 
position to  the  effect  of  the  preacher.  Finney,  in  his  book 
on  Re\avals,  descends  to  so  minute  a  specification  of  the 
circumstances  to  be  attended  to  in  prejyaring  for  the  revival, 
as  to  expose  him  to  the  ridicule  of  many  of  his  readers ; 
and  no  attempt  is  here  made  to  defend  him,  or  to  recom- 
mend his  volume  ;  but  still  there  is  true  philosophy  in  the 
spirit  of  his  directions,  which  amounts  to  this,  that  the 
effect  of  sermons,  and  indeed  of  all  public  speaking,  de- 
pends often  upon  very  little  things.  Trifles  have  great 
power  to  divert  the  current  of  thought,  to  break  the  chain 
of  reflection,  and  to  disturb  the  process  of  emotion.  Every- 
thing connected  with  public  worship  should  be  still,  orderly, 
solemn;  as  befits  a  service  conducted  in  the  presence  of 
God,  and  with  reference  to  him. 

Returning  to  the  subject  of  prayer,  it  becomes  every 
minister  to  take  especial  care  that  this  should  be  conducted 
with  propriety,  not  only  on  acoviunt  of  its  nature  and  de- 
sign, as  addressed  to  God,  and  as  the  medium  of  obtaining 
blessings  at  his  hand,  but  because  of  its  moral  effect  upon 
the  people.  We  object  to  pre-com posed  forms,  and  we 
think  on  sufficient  grounds,  as  wanting  in  adaptation  to  the 
ever-changing  circumstances  of  the  congregation,  to  the 
events  of  the  times,  and  to  the  services  of  the  minister, 
and  as  at  the  same  time  tending  to  produce  formalism— 
but  then  we  are  bound  to  take  care  that  our  free  prayers 
are  such  as  are  eminently  adapted  to  edification.     And  ia 


IN    DELIVERY.  149 

there  not  room  for  much  improvement  in  our  public  devo- 
tional exercises  ?  In  some  cuses  there  is  too  much  elabo- 
ration and  appearance  of  study ;  though  in  far  more,  a 
want  of  richness  and  fulness  of  unction  and  importunity. 
The  prayers  are  often  too  excursive  and  vague,  a  mere 
string  of  petitions,  which  have  no  connection  with  each 
other,  and  which  leave  the  whole  without  unity  of  design, 
or  definiteness  of  object.  There  are  some  admirable  re- 
marks on  the  subject  of  public  extempore  prayer,  in  Fos- 
ter's sketch  of  Mr.  Hall's  character  as  a  preacher,  which 
go  to  prove  that  more  concentration  of  thought  on  par- 
ticular topics,  would  produce  a  greater  effect,  than  that 
unrestrained  discursiveness  which  characterizes  most  of 
our  devotional  exercises.  We  pass  too  rapidly  from  one 
subject  to  another,  and  thus  as  it  were  surprise  our  hearers, 
by  their  being  brought  to  a  new  topic  before  they  were 
aware  they  had  left  the  preceding  one  ;  and  it  may  be  safe- 
ly affirmed  that  prayers  which  do  not  detain  the  thoughts 
on  any  certain  things  for  a  few  moments,  take  slight  hold 
on  the  auditors.  "  Things  noted  so  transiently,  do  not  ad- 
mit of  deliberate  attention,  and  seem  as  if  they  did  not 
claim  it."  With  the  liberty  of  unrestricted  variety  which 
we  possess,  why  should  it  be  thought  necessary  to  go  al- 
ways over  the  same  ground,  and  bring  in  the  same  topics, 
in  the  same  exact  order,  at  much  the  same  length,  and  in 
almost  the  same  words  ?  Why  -may  we  not  sometimes 
drop  everything  else,  and  break  out  into  a  continued  strain 
in  reference  to  one  selected  object  ?  How  deep  would  be 
the  conviction  of  the  audience  of  the  importance  which 
we,  at  any  rate,  felt  to  belong  to  it,  and  how  hkely  would 
be  such  a  method  to  engage  them  in  sympathy  with  us,  in 
reference  to  it.  We  should  also  be  careful  to  avoid  all 
Dersonalities  which  would  excite  curiosity  or  disturb  devo- 


150  EARNESTNESS 

tion,  and  especially  all  laudatory  epithets  on  the  one  hand, 
and  criminatory  ones  on  the  other.  In  using  our  freedom 
let  us  take  care  not  to  abuse  it,  and  endeavor  that  the  end 
and  object  of  our  preaching  shall  be  helped,  and  not  hin- 
dered, by  the  method  of  our  praying.  If  pre-composed 
forms  of  prayer  have  their  disadvantages,  so  also  has  free 
prayer ;  and  while  we  consider  the  balance  of  advantage 
vastly  in  favor  of  the  latter,  let  us  recollect  that  our  breth- 
ren of  the  Establishment  are  of  the  same  opinion  respect- 
ing their  liturgy.  Let  us  therefore  charitably  bear  with,  and 
not  reciprocally  reproach,  each  other. 

The  manner  of  prayer,  as  well  as  its  matter,  demands 
also  our  serious  attention.  While  the  very  nature  of  the 
exercise  forbids  everything  showy  or  elaborately  ingeni- 
ous, everything  quaint,  familiar,  and  irreverent,  and  en- 
joins the  utmost  simplicity  and  spirituality,  it  no  less  pro- 
hibits all  flippancy,  carelessness,  and  pompous  oratory. 
The  most  serious,  reverent,  and  devotional  manner  is  re- 
quired, not  only  on  our  own  account,  but  on  account  of  the 
audience.  There  are  some  men  whose  very  tones  are  enough 
to  extinguish  all  devotional  feeling  at  once.  It  is  almost 
impossible  to  conceive  that  it  is  a  sinful  mortal  we  hear 
addressing  himself  to  the  Holy,  Holy,  Holy  Lord  God,  be- 
fore whom  the  seraphim  veil  their  faces :  while  on  the  con- 
trary there  are  others  whose  deep,  devotional  tones,  whose 
subdued  manner,  whose  awe-stricken  entire  demeanor, 
seem  to  remind  us  that  they  are  indeed  speaking  to  the  Al- 
mighty. It  is  not  necessary  to  suppose  that  earnestness 
requires  hoisterousness ;  a  mistake  too  commonly  made  by 
many  who  work  themselves  up  into  vociferation  and  actual 
contortion.  Such  vehemence,  like  a  violent  blast  of  wind, 
puts  out  the  languid  flame  of  devotion,  when  a  gentler 
breeze  would  fan  it  to  greater  intensity.     It  were  well  also 


IN    DELIVERY.  151 

to  avoid  that  sing-song  tone  which  we  too  often  hear  in 
those  who  lead  the  public  devotions.  Still  there  must  be 
earnestness — the  earnestness  of  deep  feeling,  of  hvely  de- 
votion, of  a  heart  intent  upon  its  own  salvation,  and  the 
salvation  of  those  who  are  then  and  there  waiting  to  hear 
the  word  of  life. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

EARNESTNESS   MANIFESTED   IN   THE   PASTORATE. 

This  must  by  no  means  be  omitted.  The  pulpit  is  the 
chief,  but  not  the  only  sphere  of  ministerial  solicitude  and 
action :  just  as  preaching  is  God's  first,  but  not  his  exclu- 
sive means  of  saving  souls.  Different  ministers  have  fal- 
len into  two  opposite  mistakes ;  one  class  have  thought  to 
do  everything  in  the  pulpit  as  preachers,  but  they  have 
neglected  the  duties  of  the  pastor ;  while  the  others  have 
purposed  to  do  everything  as  pastors,  and  have  neglected 
the  diligent  preparation  of  their  sermons.  Of  the  two  er- 
rors the  latter  is  the  more  mischievous,  inasmuch  as  no 
pastoral  devotedness,  however  intense,  will  long  keep  to- 
gether a  congregation  among  Protestant  Dissenters,  much 
less  collect  one,  when  the  preaching  is  indiflferent  and  un- 
attractive ;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  good  preaching  will 
of  itself  do  much  in  the  absence  of  pastoral  attentions  to 
keep  the  flock  from  being  scattered.  But  why  should  not 
both  extremes  be  avoided  ?  Good  preaching  and  good 
shepherding  are  quite  compatible  with  each  other,  and  he 
who  is  in  earnest  will  combine  both.  He  will  be  a  watch- 
man for  souls  everywhere,  and  seek  if  by  any  and  by  all 
means  he  can  save  some.  He  can  never  entirely  lay  aside 
bis  anxiety  for  the  objects  of  his  regard,  and  is  ever  ready 


EARNESTNESS    IN    THE    PASTORATE.  153 

to  manifest  it  on  all  suitable  occasions.  His  sermons  ara 
composed  and  delivered  for  this  object,  and  he  is  after- 
wards inquisitive  for  the  effect  they  have  produced,  and 
watches  and  prays  for  the  result.  His  anxious  eye  is 
searching  the  congregation,  even  while  preaching,  to  see, 
not  so  much  who  is  delighted,  but  who  is  seriously  im- 
pressed. He  will  not,  cannot  be  content  to  go  on,  without 
ascertaining  whether  or  not  his  sermons  are  successful.  Like 
a  good  physician,  who  is  minutely  watchful  for  the  eflfect 
of  his  medicines  upon  his  patients  individually,  according 
to  their  specific  varieties  of  disease,  he  will  endeavor  to 
ascertain  the  impression  which  his  seiTQons  have  produced, 
and  on  particular  persons.  He  will  aim  to  attract  to  him 
the  anxious  inquirers  after  salvation  :  and  for  this  purpose 
he  will  have  special  meetings  for  such  persons ;  will  invite 
and  encourage  their  attendance ;  will  cause  them  to  feel 
that  they  are  most  welcome,  and  by  his  tender,  faithful, 
and  appropriate  treatment  of  their  case,  will  make  them 
sensible  that  to  him  they  are  as  truly  the  objects  of  deep 
interest,  as  the  lambs  are  to  the  good  shepherd.  And 
though  he  will  very  naturally  wish  not  to  be  too  frequent- 
ly broken  in  upon,  in  his  private  studies,  by  those  to  whom 
\e  has  given  set  times  for  meeting  with  him — yet  a  poor, 
Durdened,  trembling  penitent  will  never  find  him  engaged 
too  deeply  or  delightfully  in  study,  to  heal  the  broken  in 
heart,  and  to  bind  up  their  wounds.  It  is  really  distress- 
ing to  know  how  little  time  some  ministers  are  willing  to 
give  up  from  their  favorite  pursuits,  even  for  relieving  the 
solicitudes  of  an  anxious  mind.  They  read  much,  and 
perhaps,  as  the  result,  preach  well-composed,  though  pos- 
sibly not  very  awakening  sermons ;  but  as  for  any  skill,  or 
even  taste,  for  dealing  with  convinced  sinners,  wounded 
consciences,  and  perplexed  minds,  they  are  as  destitute  of 


154  EARNESTNESS    IN 

this,  as  if  it  were  no  part  of  their  duty.  They  resemble 
lecturers  on  medicine,  rather  than  practitioners ;  or  are 
like  a  physician  who  would  assemble  all  his  patients  who 
were  able  to  attend,  in  the  same  room,  and  then  give  gene- 
ral directions  about  health  and  sickness  to  all  alike,  but 
who  does  not  inquire  into  their  several  ailments,  nor  visit 
them  at  their  own  abodes,  nor  adapt  his  treatment  to  their 
individual  and  specific  diseases.  It  is  admitted  that  some 
men  have  less  tact,  and  a  still  greater  destitution  of  taste, 
than  others,  for  this  department  of  pastoral  action ;  but 
some  skill  in  it,  and  some  attention  to  it,  are  the  duty  of 
every  minister,  and  may  be  acquired  :  and  no  man  can  be 
in  earnest  without  it.  He  who  can  only  generalize  in  the 
pulpit,  but  has  no  ability  to  individualize  out  of  it ;  who 
cannot  in  some  measure  meet  the  varieties  of  religious  per- 
plexity, and  deal  with  the  various  modifications  of  awa- 
kened solicitude  ;  who  finds  himself  disinclined  or  disabled  to 
guide  the  troubled  conscience  through  the  labyrinths  which 
sometimes  meet  the  sinner  in  the  first  stage  of  his  pilgrim- 
age to  the  skies,  may  be  a  popular  preacher,  but  he  is  lit- 
tle fitted  to  be  the  pastor  of  a  Christian  church.  One  half 
hour's  individual  conversation  with  a  convinced,  but  per- 
plexed mind,  may  do  more  to  correct  mistakes,  to  convey 
instruction,  to  relieve  solicitude,  and  to  settle  the  wavering 
in  faith  and  peace,  than  ten  sermons.  True,  it  requires 
much  love  for  souls,  much  devotedness  to  their  salvation, 
and  much  anxiety  for  the  success  of  our  ministry,  to  devote 
that  half-hour  to  one  solitary  inquirer  after  life  eternal  ; 
but  surely  no  really  earnest  minister  will  think  his  time 
ill  bestowed  in  guiding  that  single  inquirer  into  the  way  of 
peace. 

This  individualizing  labor  is  more  easily  earned  on  in 
Bome  situations  than  in  others,  and  is  indeed  more  important. 


THE    PASTORATE.  155 

in  some  situations,  to  ministerial  success.  In  small  congre- 
gations, for  instance,  especially  when  they  are  found  in 
small  towns  or  villages,  the  objects  of  such  special  atten- 
tion come  more  under  the  notice  of  a  pastor,  are  more 
accessible,  and  can  have  more  time  given  to  them,  than  in 
large  congregations  in  large  towns.  To  these  smaller 
churches,  individuals,  though  not  of  more  importance  or 
value  in  themselves,  since  the  soul  and  its  salvation  are  of 
equal  worth  everywhere,  are  of  more  consequence  to  the 
comfort  of  the  minister,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  cause, 
than  they  are  where  a  crowd  is  gathered.  Pastors  of 
large  churches  are  much  more  occupied,  both  with  the 
concerns  of  their  own  flock,  and  with  public  business,  than 
their  brethren  in  more  retired  situations,  and  are  often  so 
occupied  and  hurried,  as  to  have  too  little  leisure  for  the 
individual  attentions  now  recommended  ;  and  are  perhaps 
apt,  amidst  the  aggregate  of  numbers,  to  think  too  Httle  of 
the  units.  Still  some  excuse  may  be  made  for  them,  of 
which  the  others  cannot  avail  themselves.  The  accession 
of  a  single  member  to  our  smaller  churches  is  felt  to  be  of 
more  importance,  and  produces  a  more  reviving  and  cheer- 
ing effect,  than  the  addition  of  several  to  the  larger  ones. 
We  have  all  something  to  learn  even  from  the  Scribes  and 
Pharisees  of  ancient  times,  who  compassed  sea  and  land 
to  make  one  proselyte ;  and  also  from  the  Papists  of  mod- 
ern times,  who  pursue  a  hke  course  :  or,  to  change  the  ex- 
amples, we  want  more  of  the  benevolent  disposition  of  an- 
gels, who  rejoice  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth.  No  efforts 
would  be  more  likely  to  be  successful,  none  would  more 
amply  reward  those  who  make  them,  than  the  selection  of 
the  most  hopeful  individuals  in  the  congregation,  and  fol- 
lowing them  up  with  all  the  assiduities  of  a  special,  affec- 
tionate and  judiciouj  attention.     Such  a  course  of  pastoral 


156  EARNESTNESS    IN 

labor,  though  it  would  not  altogether  be  a  substitute  for 
pulpit  attractiveness,  and  should  never  be  allowed  to  super- 
sede the  most  diligent  pulpit  preparation,  would  enable 
many  a  minister,  who  may  not  be  gifted  with  large  abili- 
ties, to  retain  a  strong  hold  upon  his  flock.  This  is  a  line 
along  which  almost  any  one  may  carry  on  a  career  of  ear- 
nestness. 

As  another  object  of  pastoral  attention,  may  be  mentioned 
attention  to  the  young :  and  these  may  be  divided  into  two 
classes — the  young  persons  who  belong  to  the  congregation, 
and  those  who  belong  to  the  Sunday  schools.  With  re- 
gard to  the  former,  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation  that  the 
modern  plan  of  Bible  classes  is  not  unfrequent  nor  unsuc- 
cessful :  but  even  at  this  time,  they  are  rather  the  excep- 
tion than  the  rule.  It  may  be  feared  that  there  are  some, 
who,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of  the  year,  aye,  and  of 
their  ministry  also,  take  no  interest  in  the  youth  of  their 
congregations ;  they  have  no  catechetical  classes,  no  Bible 
classes,  and  even  rarely  preach  to  the  young.  Who  can 
wonder  that  such  men  have  to  complain  that  their  young 
people  go  off  to  the  Church  of  England,  or,  what  is  far 
worse,  to  the  world  ?  What  have  they  ever  done  to  at- 
tach them  to  themselves,  or  to  their  place  of  worship  ? 
Let  no  man  be  surprised  that  his  congregation,  diminished 
by  death  and  removals,  continually  declines,  if  he  neglects 
to  lay  hold  of  the  youth  of  his  flock.  Whence  does  the 
shepherd  look  for  his  future  flock,  but  from  the  lambs? 
And  who  are  to  constitute  our  future  congregations  and 
churches,  but  our  young  people  ? 

I  am  an  advocate  also  for  the  catechetical  instruction  of 
the  younger  children,  and  am  sorry  that  this  admirable 
method  of  imparting  religious  truth  has  fallen  into  such 
general  desuetude.     Even  the  Bible  class,  however  accom- 


THE    PASTORATE.  l57 

inodated  to  the  capacity  of  these  junior  members  of  our 
congregation,  is  not  altogether  a  substitute  for,  but  should 
be  regarded  only  as  an  addition  to,  the  practice  of  catechis- 
ing. There  is  still  a  great  desideratum  to  be  supplied  to 
our  denomination,  whose  thanks  would  be  pre-eminently 
due  to  the  man  who  should  supply  it, — I  mean  a  set  of 
well  composed  catechisms,  which  might  be  introduced  to 
all  our  families,  and  thus  set  up  a  uniform  system  of  reli- 
gious instruction  for  the  body.  I  say,  which  might  be  in- 
troduced to  all  our  families  ;  for  it  is  by  no  means  my  wish 
or  my  intention  to  obtrude  the  pastor  between  the  parent 
and  child,  and  take  the  rehgious  instruction  of  the  latter 
from  his  natural  guardian  and  teacher,  to  devolve  it  upon 
the  pastor.  It  is  to  parents  that  the  injunction  is  delivered, 
"  Thou  shalt  teach  these  words  to  thy  children  diligently, 
and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou  sittest  in  thy  house,  and 
bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord." 
No  pastoral  attention  should  be  intended,  or  can  be  adapt- 
ed, to  supercede  or  lighten  this  solemn  parental  obligation. 
But  then  the  pastor  should  labor  to  the  uttermost  to  keep 
up  the  parents  who  are  of  his  flock,  to  the  right  dis- 
charge of  their  duty.  There  are  few  of  us  who  are  not 
sorrowfully  convinced  that  little  is  to  be  expected  from  our 
sermons  in  the  pulpit,  or  our  instructions  in  the  class  room, 
while  all  our  endeavors  are  so  miserably  counteracted  by 
the  neglect  of  domestic  instruction,  and  the  want  of  paren- 
tal solicitude.  I  do  not  mean  to  justify  pastoral  neglect  by 
advancing  the  obhgations  of  parental  duty,  for  I  believe  we 
have  been,  and  are,  all  veiily  guilty  of  a  criminal  defect  of 
duty  in  not  giving  more  of  our  time  and  attention  to  the 
children  of  our  congregations  ; — but  still  even  the  time  and 
attention  we  do  give  is  all  likely  to  be  lost,  by  the  low 
state  of  religion  in  the  homes  of  some  of  our  people. 

14 


158  EARNESTNESS    IN 

We  might  very  naturally  expect  that  our  churches  would 
be  chiefly  built  up  from  the  families  of  our  members; 
whereas,  the  greater  number  of  accessions  are  from  those 
who  were  once  the  people  of  the  world.  There  is  a  great 
mistake  on  this  subject,  into  which  both  parents  and  minis- 
ters have  fallen ;  and  that  is,  that  the  conversion  of  the 
children  of  the  professor  is  to  be  looked  for  more  from  the 
sermons  of  the  latter  than  from  the  instructions  of  the 
former  ;  whereas  the  contrary  is  the  true  order  of  things ; 
and  were  domestic  piety  and  teaching  what  they  ought  to 
be,  this  is  the  order  which  would  be  found  to  exist.  There 
is  unquestionable  truth  in  the  proverb,  "  Train  up  a  child 
in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it."  I  believe  that  were  the  nature  and  design 
of  the  domestic  constitution  thoroughly  understood,  and  its 
religious  duties  early,  judiciously,  arfFectionately,  and  perse- 
veringly  discharged,  the  greater  number  of  our  young  peo 
pie  would  be  converted  to  God  at  home.*  Were  all  reli 
gious  professors,  who  are  parents,  real  and  eminent  Chris 
tians ;  were  they  from  the  time  they  became  parents  to  se . 
their  hearts  upon  being  the  instruments  of  their  children's 
conversion  ;  were  they  to  do  all  that  prayer,  instruction, 
discipline,  and  example  could  do  for  the  formation  of  the 
religious  character  of  their  offspring ;  and  were  they  care- 
fully to  abstain  from  everything  which  would  obstruct 
these  ends,  I  feel  confident  that  it  would  be  within  the  hal- 
lowed precincts  of  such  homes,  and  not  in  the  sanctuary, 
that  the  children  of  the  godly  would  usually  become  godly 

*  I  take  this  opportunity  to  recommend  a  most  valuable  volume,  en- 
titled *'  The  Domestic  Constitution,"  by  the  Rev.  CHnrsTOPHER  Ander- 
son ;  a  new  and  cheaper  edition  of  vj^hich  is  lately  published.  Every 
minister  should  know,  by  reading  it,  the  worth  of  this  inestimablo 
book,  ami  recommend  it  to  his  flock. 


THE    PASTORATE.  159 

themselves.  Here,  then,  should  and  will  be  an  object  with 
every  truly  earnest  pastor,  to  bring  up  the  parents  in  his 
church  to  a  right  sense  and  discharge  of  their  functions. 
He  will  labor  to  impress  upon  them  the  solemn  obligations 
under  which  they  live,  to  train  up  their  children  for  God. 
It  will  be  a  matter  of  prayer  and  solicitude  with  him  to 
excite  them  to  their  duty  and  keep  them  in  it ;  for  this 
purpose,  he  will  not  only  make  his  pulpit  ministrations 
bear  much  upon  parental  obligation,  but  he  will  make  it  a 
point  of  visiting  the  famihes  which  are  in  his  church,  to 
pray  with  them,  and  to  hold  up  the  hands  of  the  parents  in 
this  godly  duty.  Deeply  is  it  to  be  regretted  that  this 
part  of  pastoral  occupation,  as  well  as  catechising,  has  gone 
out  amidst  the  bustle  and  engrossing  power  of  trade,  and 
the  public  business  of  modern  religious  institutions.  How 
little  do  the  families  of  our  people  know  of  us  in  the  charac- 
ter and  hallowed  familiarity  of  the  pastor  ?  When  are  we 
seen  amidst  the  domestic  circle  as  the  respected  and  be- 
loved minister  of  that  lovely  and  interesting  group,  labor- 
ing by  our  affectionate,  serious,  and  solemn  discourse,  and 
by  prayer  as  serious,  solemn,  and  affectionate,  to  entwine 
ourselves  round  the  young  hearts  which  there  look  up  to 
us  with  reverent  regard  ?  Why,  why  do  we  neglect  such 
important  scenes  of  labor,  and  hopeful  efforts  for  useful- 
ness ?  What  power  would  this  give  to  our  sermons,  and 
what  efficacy  to  our  ministrations !  These  young  ones 
would  grow  up  to  love  us,  and  it  would  not  be  a  light  or 
little  thing  which  would  break  them  off  from  our  ministry 
when  we  had  produced  in  them  such  a  personal  attach- 
ment to  ourselves.  But  then  we  must  take  especial  care 
that  our  conduct  in  the  houses  of  our  people  should  be  such 
as  to  give  weight  and  influence  to  their  religious  instruction 
of  the  family,  and  to  ours  ia  the  sanctuar;-,     We  must  be 


160  EARNESTNESS    IN 

known  there  as  the  servants  of  God,  the  ministers  of 
Christ,  the  watchmen  for  souls  ;  and  not  merely  as  the  table 
guest,  the  parlor  jester,  the  gossiping  story-teller,  the  de- 
bating pohtician,  the  stormy  polemic,  the  bitter  sectarian ; 
much  less  as  the  lover  of  wine.  Would  God  that  those  of 
ray  brethren  Avho  have  acquired  the  habit  of  smoking,  if 
they  cannot  leave  it  off,  would  abstain  from  this  practice 
in  the  houses  of  their  friends,  and  confine  it  to  their  own  : 
would  that  they  did  not  permit  the  young  inquisitive  eyes 
of  the  junior  members  of  the  families  which  they  visit,  to 
see  the  pipe  brought  out  as  their  necessary  adjunct.  Did 
they  know  the  regrets  of  their  best  friends,  and  consider 
the  power  of  their  example,  they  would,  at  any  rate,  so  far 
abstain  as  to  wait  till  they  had  reached  their  own  habita- 
tion, before  they  indulged  themselves  with  their  accus- 
tomed gratification.  Still,  it  is  freely  conceded,  without 
justifying  the  habit,  there  are  some  who  are  addicted  to  it, 
so  grave,  and  serious,  and  dignified  in  other  respects,  as  to 
furnish  by  their  general  demeanor  an  antidote  against  their 
example  in  this  one  particular  :  but  what  antidote  can  be 
found  to  neutralize  the  mischief  inflicted  by  the  levity  and 
frivolity  of  the  parlor  buffoon,  whose  highest  object  in  go- 
ing to  the  houses  of  his  friends  seems  to  be  to  tell  a  merry 
story  and  to  excite  a  hearty  laugh.  In  his  hands  and  lips 
the  pages  of  "  Punch  "  are  far  more  becoming,  as  they  are, 
perhaps,  far  more  frequent,  than  those  of  David,  Isaiah,,  or 
Paul.  Happily  we  have  very  few  that  go  to  this  extreme 
of  lightness  and  frivolity,  but  far  too  many,  as  is  the  case 
with  all  denominations,  and  with  ours  not  more  than  others, 
of  those  whose  hilarity  is  destructive  at  once  of  their  dig- 
nity, their  seriousness,  and  their  usefulness  as  ministers  of 
Christ.  Not  that  I  contend  for  sanctified  demureness,  and 
solemn  grimace,  or  even  a  perpetual  sermonizing  conversa- 


THE    PASTORATE.  161 

tion ;  as  if  a  pastor  could  not  talk,  without  violating  official 
decorum,  upon  any  topic  but  religion,  and  were  letting 
down  his  dignity,  or  desecrating  his  sanctity,  if  he  joined  in 
ordinary  conversation,  and  partook  of,  or  even  helped  the 
cheerfulness  of  the  circle.  By  no  means :  he  is  not  to  ap- 
pear like  a  spectre  that  has  escaped  from  the  cloister,  to 
haunt  the  parlor,  stiiking  every  face  with  paleness,  and 
every  tongue  with  silence.  He  is  a  man,  a  citizen,  and  a 
friend,  as  well  as  a  minister ;  and  has  a  stake  and  an  inter- 
est in  the  great  questions  which  occupy  human  minds, 
and  engage  their  conversation  ;  and  provided  he  do  not 
forget  what  is  due  to  the  latter,  he  need  not  throw  off  what 
belongs  to  the  former.  Nay,  his  very  cheerfulness  may  be 
made  a  part  of  his  earnestness,  by  being  taken  up  and  em- 
ployed as  a  means  to  conciliate  the  affections  of  all  around 
him.  The  man  who  is  seriously  cheerful,  who  engages  in 
general  conversation,  and  accommodates  himself  to  the  in- 
nocent habits  of  those  with  whom  he  associates,  and  does 
this  in  order  really  to  do  them  spiritual  good,  and  aid  him 
in  the  great  work  of  saving  their  souls,  will  find  in  the  sub- 
limity and  sanctity  of  his  end,  a  sufficient  protection  against 
the  abuse  of  the  means.  This  is  widely  different  from  the 
unchecked  levity,  and  unrestrained  frivolity  in  which  some 
indulge,  and  which  make  it  difficult  to  imagine  how  they 
can  feel  the  value  of  souls,  or  the  obligation  of  attempting 
their  salvation.  Howard  at  a  masquerade,  or  Clarkson 
at  a  fancy  ball,  would  not  have  been  more  out  of  place,  nor 
a  physician  more  out  of  character  who  had  just  come  from 
the  ravages  of  the  plague,  and  was  immediately  going  back 
to  them  again,  who  was  seen  wasting  his  time,  and  amus- 
ing himself  with  the  tricks  of  a  merry-andrew,  than  is  a 
messenger  of  God's  mercy,  and  a  preacher  :f  Christ's  gos- 
14* 


162  3ARNE8TNESS    IN 

pel,  in  the  circles  of  folly  and  vanit)%  and  he  himself  the 
Momus  of  the  party. 

But  we  now  advert  for  a  few  moments  to  the  scope  for 
earnestness  which  is  presented  to  the  pastor,  by  the  chil- 
dren of  the  Sunday  school.  By  a  most  fatal  error,  too 
many  of  our  ministers  deem  these  institutions  as  either 
beyond  their  circle,  or  below  their  notice.  They  are  neither. 
A  pastor  is,  or  ought  to  be,  the  head  and  chief  in  the 
department  of  all  the  religious  instruction  which  goes  on 
in  connection  with  the  congregation  under  his  care.  He 
is  the  teacher,  the  superintendent,  and  the  responsible 
organ  of  religious  knowledge  for  all  the  flock,  and  the 
Sunday  school  is  a  part  of  it.  It  is  a  wrong  state  of  things 
that  has  grown  up  among  some  of  us  Dissenters,  in  which 
two,  three,  or  four  hundred  rational  minds  and  immortal 
souls  are  brought  every  Sabbath-day  to  our  Sunday 
schools,  and  to  our  places  of  worship,  for  the  very  purpose 
of  receiving  religious  instruction,  and  yet  all  this  is  to  be 
carried  on  without  its  being  once  thought  of  by  the  pastor, 
that  he  has  something  to  do  in  this  business  ;  or  by  the 
congregation  or  the  teachers,  that  he  has  by  \drtue  of  his 
office  a  right  and  a  reason  to  interfere.  In  most  cases,  the 
pastor  has  given  the  matter  out  of  his  hand,  and  has  thus 
raised  up,  or  has  been  accessory  to  there  being  raised  up,  a 
body  of  young  instructors  of  divine  truth,  who  are  acting 
independently  of  him,  and  who,  in  some  few  instances, 
have  confederated  against  him.  This  is  not  as  it  should 
be.  The  teachers  are,  or  ought  to  be,  a  pastor's  special 
care ;  to  qualify  them  for  their  office,  and  to  assist  them 
in  its  duties,  should  be  thought  by  him  no  inconsiderable 
part  of  his  functions.  Nor  should  even  the  children  them- 
selves be  viewed  as  persons  with  whom  he  has  nothing  to 


THE    PASTORATE.  163 

do.  There  are  always,  among  these,  some  whose  minds 
have  been  brought  to  serious  reflection,  who  are  inquiring 
with  soUcitude  after  salvation,  and  whom  he  should  take 
under  his  own  teaching  and  special  care,  and  guide  into 
the  way  of  faith,  peace,  and  holiness  :  and  he  should  not 
neglect  to  give  frequent,  affectionate,  and  solemn  addresses 
to  the  rest.  In  a  Sunday  school  of  two  or  three  hundred 
childi'en,  there  are  of  course  two  or  three  hundred  immortal 
souls,  exposed  by  their  very  situation  in  life  to  peculiar 
dangers,  yet  all  capable  of  eternal  blessedness,  and  all 
brought  weekly  under  the  eye  of  the  pastor  :  and  yet  by 
how  many  of  our  pastors  is  this  hopeful  object  of  religious 
zeal  and  benevolence  thrown  oflF  from  ministerial  solicitude, 
and  handed  over  to  the  Sunday  school  teachers,  as  if  there 
were  no  hope  of  their  saving  the  soul  of  a  poor  boy,  nor 
any  reward  for  saving  a  poor  girl.  This  obligation  of  at- 
tending to  the  souls  of  the  Sunday  scholars,  while  incum- 
bent upon  all  ministers,  is  especially  so  upon  those  who  are 
laboring  amidst  much  discouragement,  in  small  congrega- 
tions. Many  of  these  men  are  continually  uttering  their  com- 
plaints over  the  smallness  of  their  congregations,  and  tlie  in- 
efficiency of  their  labors ;  and  yet,  perhaps,  have  never 
thought  of  turning  their  attention  to  the  two  or  three  hun- 
dred youthful  minds  which  are  every  Sabbath  day  before 
their  eyes,  and  under  the  sound  of  their  voice.  No  minister 
who  ever  threw  his  mind  and  heart  into  his  Sunday  schools 
had  to  complain  that  he  labored  in  vain,  and  spent  his 
strength  for  nought.  No  part  of  ministerial  labor  yields  a 
quicker  or  a  larger  reward.  By  some  it  is  made  the  main 
pivot  on  which  their  whole  system  of  religious  instruction 
turns,  and  flourishing  congregations  have  risen  up  under  its 
potency.  I  have  myself  been  the  astonished  and  delighted 
witness  of  this,  especially  in  one  well-known  instance,  and 


164  EARNESTNESS    IN 

am  so  deeply  impressed  with  its  importance,  that  I  conjure 
my  brethren  not  to  neglect  this  means  of  usefulness,  nor 
throw  away  the  golden  opportunity  which  the  present  cu*- 
cumstances  of  our  country  still  hold  out. 

Nor  is  it  Sunday  school  instruction  alone  which  claims 
our  attention,  but  daily  education.  In  this  we  must  be  in 
earnest  also.  It  is  one  of  tho  great  subjects  of  the  day, 
and  belongs  to  us  as  much  as  to  any  one.  We  must  not 
allow  the  public  mind  to  be  wholly  taken  from  us,  but 
must  exert  ourselves  according  to  our  ability  and  opportu- 
nity to  train  it  up  for  society  and  God.  Others  know  and 
feel  the  importance  of  this,  if  we  do  not.  The  Roman 
Catholic  priests  are  aware  of  it,  so  are  the  clergy  of  the 
EstabUshed  Church,  and  so  are  the  Methodist  ministers ; 
and  shall  Dissenting  ministers  be  behind  the  most  zealous 
and  devoted  friends  of  education  ?     I  trust  not. 

But  there  are  other  departments  of  the  pastorate,  in 
which  earnestness  will  manifest  itself;  such  as  visiting  the 
sick,  especially  where  the  disease  is  chronic,  and  leaves 
the  mind  at  libei't}'^  for  conversation ;  and  then  also  there 
is  the  difficult,  but  incumbent  duty  of  rebuke,  warning,  and 
ecclesiastical  disciphne.  No  devoted  servant  of  Christ  can 
neglect  the  state  of  the  church,  but  will  be  solicitous  to 
maintain  such  order  there,  as  shall  be  pleasing  to  Him  to 
whom  the  church  belongs.  Like  a  good  shepherd  he  will 
look  after  his  flock,  and  will  endeavor  to  avoid  the  denun- 
ciations of  God  delivered  by  the  prophet  Ezekiel  :  "  Woe 
be  to  the  shepherds  of  Israel  that  do  feed  themselves ! 
Should  not  the  shepherds  feed  the  flocks  ?  The  diseased 
have  ye  not  strengthened  ;  neither  have  ye  healed  that 
which  was  sick ;  neither  have  ye  bound  up  that  which  was 
broken;  neither  have  ye  brought  again  that  which  was 
driven  away ;  neither  have  ye  sought  that  which  was  lost." 


THE    PASTORATE.  165 

Impressive  description  of  our  duty  !     May  we  be  found  so 
discharging  it  as  to  avoid  this  fearful  woe ! 

How  appropriately  may  I  here  introduce  the  words  of 
the  Bishop  of  Calcutta,  in  his  admirable  and  heart-search- 
mg-  mtroduction  to  the  edition  of  "  Baxter's  Reformed 
Pastor,"  published  by  Collins,  in  his  series  of  "Select 
Authors :" 

''  What  have  we  been  doing  as  ministers  ?  Lamentably  as  we 
have  failed  in  a  general  estimate  of  the  vast  importance  of  our 
office,  we  have  failed  as  lamentably  in  all  those  parts  of  it  which 
relate  to  personal  inspection  and  vigilance  over  our  flocks.  We 
have  confined  ourselves  to  preaching,  to  ecclesiastical  duties, 
to  occasional  visits  to  the  sick,  to  the  administration  of  the 
sacraments,  to  the  external  and  secular  relation  in  which  we 
stand  to  our  parishes  ;  but  what  have  we  done  in  personal  care 
and  direction,  in  affectionate  catechetical  conferences,  in  going 
from  house  to  house,  in  visiting  every  family  and  individual  in 
our  districts,  in  becoming  acquainted  with  the  characters,  the 
wants,  the  state  of  heart,  the  habits,  the  attendance  upon  public 
worship,  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  the  instruction  of  chil- 
dren and  servants,  the  family  devotions,  of  each  house  i  Have 
we  looked  after  each  individual  sheep  with  an  eager  solicitude  ? 
Have  we  denied  ourselves  our  own  ease,  and  pleasure,  and  indul- 
gence, in  order  to  '  go  after  Christ's  sheep,  scattered  in  this 
naughty,  wicked  world,  that  they  may  be  saved  forever  ?'  What 
do  the  streets  and  lanes  of  our  cities  testify  concerning  us  ? 
What  do  the  highways  and  hedges  of  our  country  parishes  say 
as  to  our  fidelity  and  love  to  souls  ?  What  do  the  houses  and 
cottages  and  sick  chambers  of  our  congregations  and  neighbor- 
hoods speak  ?  Where  have  we  been  ?  What  have  we  been 
doing  ?  Has  Christ  our  Master  seen  us  following  his  footsteps, 
and  going  about  doing  good  ?  Brethren,  we  are  verily  faulty  con- 
cerning this.  We  have  been  content  with  public  discourses,  and 
have  not  urged  each  soul  to  the  concerns  of  salvation.  Blessed 
Jesus !  thou  knowest  the  guilt  of  thy  ministers  in  this  respect, 


166  EARNESTNESS    IN    THE    TASTORATE. 

above  all  others  !  We  have  been  divines,  we  have  been  scholars, 
we  have  been  disputants,  we  have  been  students — we  have  been 
everything  but  the  holy,  self-denying,  laborious,  consistent  minis- 
ters of  thy  gospel." 

Such,  then,  is  a  view,  and  but  an  imperfect  one,  too,  of 
an  earnest  ministry. 

I  would  have  made  it  more  comprehensive  and  impres- 
sive if  I  could :  for  the  reality  can  never  be  overdrawn  nor 
exaggerated.  Let  any  one  consider  what  that  object  must 
be  which  occupied  the  mind  of  Deity  from  eternity  ;  which 
is  the  end  of  all  the  Divine  dispensations  of  creation, 
providence,  and  grace,  towards  our  world  ;  which  is  the 
purpose  for  which  the  Son  of  God  expired  upon  the  cross ; 
■which  formed  the  substance  of  revealed  truth,  and  em- 
ployed the  lives  and  pens  of  apostles ;  to  which  martyrs  set 
the  seal  of  their  blood  :  in  short,  let  him  recollect  that  the 
end  of  the  Christian  ministry  is  the  salvation  of  immortal 
souls,  through  the  mediation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ; 
and  then  say  if  anything  less  than  an  earnest  ministry  is 
befitting  such  an  object,  or  if  that  earnestness  can  compre- 
hend in  it  less  than  has  been  set  forth  in  these  chapters. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

EXAMPLES    OF    EARNESTNESS. 

The  power  of  example  is  proverbial.  We  are  constitut- 
ed to  be  moved  by  it,  as  well  as  directed.  It  teaches  us 
hoiu  to  act,  and  impels  us  to  action.  Hence  the  excellence 
of  Scripture ;  it  is  a  book  of  models  as  well  as  of  maxims. 
Towering  above  all  the  rest,  standing  out  in  bold  relief 
beyond  all  the  others,  is  the  character  of  Christ.  He  is 
an  example  to  all  persons.  To  the  ministers  of  the  gospel, 
this  beautiful  and  perfect  embodiment  of  all  that  is  holy 
and  lovely  commends  itself  with  peculiar  energy.  He  was 
himself  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  sent  by  the  Father  in  the 
same  manner  as  he  has  sent  others.  He  is  the  great 
model,  the  divine  archetype  as  a  preacher  and  a  teacher, 
after  which  they  are  to  cop)''.  In  his  manner  of  preaching, 
as  well  as  in  his  matter,  he  is  to  be  imitated ;  in  his  live- 
liness, his  tenderness,  his  fidelity,  his  solemnity,  he  is  to  be 
closely  and  constantly  followed.  We,  of  all  men,  are  under 
the  most  solemn  obligations  to  tread  in  his  steps  and  do  as 
he  did.  But  I  now  select  from  all  his  qualities,  his  ear- 
nestness. In  this  as  well  as  in  everything  else  he  surpass- 
ingly excelled  all  his  most  devoted  servants.  When  he 
came  into  the  world  he  said,  "  Lo,  I  come ;  in  the  volume 
cf  the  book  it  is  written  of  me,  I  delight  to  do  thy  will,  O 


168  EXAMPLES    OF 

God."  When  he  emerged  from  his  obscurity  at  Nazareth 
and  entered  on  liis  public  ministry,  he  commenced  a  career 
of  increasing  and  untiring  activity.  His  eye,  his  heart, 
his  tongue,  embraced  one  object,  and  one  only, — the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  We  see  him  always  in  iKjtion,  never  in 
repose.  Follow  him  where  we  will,  we  find  him  always 
Avorking,  preaching,  praying,  or  weeping,  but  never  loiter- 
ing. He  gathered  up  the  very  fragments  of  his  time,  when 
waiting  in  the  house  of  Martha  for  his  food,  and  sitting 
down  at  the  well  of  Samaria  for  his  disciples  who  had  gone 
into  the  city  to  purchase  provisions,  and  employed  them  in 
doing  good.  He  was  the  compassionate  Saviour,  and  not 
the  cold  and  heartless  philosopher.  His  preaching  was  the 
breathing  of  a  soul  replete  with  love,  his  discourse  was  the 
overflowing  of  mercy.  He  was  not  a  mere  personification 
of  reason,  but  an  incarnation  of  love  ;  and  sent  forth  not 
the  moon-beams  of  a  cold  intellectuality,  but  the  sun-rays 
of  a  fervid  benevolence.  To  save  souls,  he  scrupled  not  to 
go,  where,  but  for  this  object,  we  should  have  never  seen 
him,  to  feasts  and  weddings,  as  well  as  funerals.  From 
the  hour  when  he  thus  addressed  his  mother,  "  Wist  ye 
not,  I  must  be  about  my  Father's  business  ?"  his  meat  and 
his  drink  were  to  do  the  will  of  that  Father.  He  denied 
himself  all  that  was  of  a  luxurious  and  self-gratifjnng 
nature ;  his  only  relaxation  was  devotion,  which,  after 
laboring  all  day  in  the  city,  he  sought  by  prayer  upon  the 
mountains  and  in  the  midnight  air.  As  a  scene  of  earnest- 
ness, never  surpassed  till  he  ascended  the  hill  of  Calvary, 
behold  him  bathed  in  tears  over  the  guilty  city,  and  choked 
in  his  utterance  by  the  sobs  with  which  the  foresight  of 
the  approaching  destruction  of  Jerusalem  convulsed  his 
bosom  !  0,  that  was  a  spectacle  which  was  enough  to 
draw  into  a  sympathy  of  grief  the  moral  universe !     What 


EARNESTNESS.  169 

a  heart  that  must  have  been,  which  on  such  a  spot,  and  at 
such  a  time,  could  find  relief  for  its  intense  emotions  only 
in  tears !  Truly  has  it  been  said,  that  melting  scene  is 
inferior  in  pathos,  in  tender  and  solemn  grandeur,  only  to 
Calvary  itself.  But  this  was  only  a  prelude  to  what  fol- 
lowed. In  prospect  of  the  hour  of  the  solemn  and  myste- 
rious scenes  of  Gethsemane  and  Golgotha,  he  exclaimed, 
"  I  have  a  baptism  to  be  baptized  with,  and  how  am  I 
straitened  till  it  is  accomphshed."  His  eagerness  for  man's 
salvation  was  such  that  the  guilty  heart  of  the  traitor  was 
too  slow  in  its  purpose  for  his  love,  and  he  quickened  the 
movements  of  Judas  by  those  memorable  words,  "  What 
thou  doest,  do  quickly."  He  made  haste  to  the  cross.  He 
was  almost  impatient  for  the  hour  of  sacrifice.  He  could 
brook  no  delay  in  love's  redeeming  work. 

Here,  ministers  of  the  gospel,  here  is  your  pattern. 
This  earnestness  is  your  model.  You  are  to  be  something 
like  this.  The  work  of  Christ  in  saving  souls  is  to  be  re- 
garded in  a  double  aspect  by  you,  both  as  the  means  of 
your  personal  salvation,  and  the  example  for  your  official 
character.  We  have  too  much  forgotten  the  latter.  Even 
though  as  Christians  we  may  have  looked  to  his  conduct 
as  our  exemplar,  we  have  too  much  neglected  to  do  so  as 
ministers.  As  servants,  we  have  not  kept  our  eyes  fixed  as 
we  ought  to  have  done  upon  the  Great  Master.  Shame 
upon  us,  how  little  careful  we  have  been  to  catch  the  fire 
of  intense  and  ardent  devotedness  from  this  glowing  and 
divine  example. 

We  have  seen  the  sun,  let  us  now  turn  to  the  stars  :  we 
have  beheld  the  Master,  let  us  now  contemplate  the 
servants.  Perhaps  the  former  is  so  high  above  you,  that 
you  are  discouraged  by  its  loftiness  and  perfection  :  well, 
look  now  at  some  nearer  your  own  level.     First  of  all  ob- 

16 


170  EXAMPLES    OF 

serve  the  apostle  Paul ;  and  where  shall  we  find  anything 
so  nearly  approaching   to   the   earnestness   of  his   divine 
Lord,  as  the  conduct  of  this  wondrous   man  ?     From  the 
moment  of  his  convei'sion  on  the  way  to  Damascus,  he  had 
but  one  object  of  existence,  and  that  was  the  glory  of  God 
in  the  salvation  of  souls ;  and  but  one  way  of  seeking  it, 
and  tliat  was   the  preaching  of  the  cross.     Wherever  he 
went,  whatever  he  did,  to  whomsoever  he  addressed  him- 
self, he  was  ever  watching  for  souls.     Whether  reasoning 
with  the  Jews  in  their  synagogues,  or  discoursing  with  the 
philosophers  on  Mars  Hill,  or  preaching  to  the  voluptuous 
inhabitants  of  Corinth,  or  appealing  to  the  Ephesian  elders 
at  Miletus,  or  pleading  in  chains  the  cause  of  Christianity 
before  the  tribunal  of  Festus  in  the  presence  of  Agrippa, 
or  writing   letters    from    prison    to  the  churches    he   had 
planted,  we  find  him  everywhere,  and  always,  the  earnest 
minister  of  Jesus  Christ.     There  is  one  expression  in  his 
address  to  the  Ephesian  elders  which  reveals,  in  a  short 
compass,  the  whole  spirit  and  marrow  of  his  preaching  : 
"  Remember  that  by  the  space  of  three  years,  I  ceased  not 
to  warn  every  one  of  you  night  and  day  with  tears."     The 
terror  of  the  Roman   government  could  not  extract  from 
liis  firmness  a  single  drop  ;  but  the  sight  of  an  immortal 
soul  perishing  in  its  iniquity,  and  pleased  with  its  delusions, 
altogether  unmanned  him,  and  suffused  his  face  with  tears, 
which  in  other  cases  would  have  been  the  sign  of  weak- 
ness.    0  those  tears,  those  tears ;  how  they  reprove  us  for 
our  insensibility,  and  how  they  prove  to  us  our  deficiencies. 
Every  view  we  can  take  of  this  illustrious  servant  of  the 
cross  fills  us  with  astonishment  and  admiration.     His  con- 
version and  history  seem  designed  to  teach  us  what  energy 
may  be  compressed  into  one  human  heart,  to  be  developed 
in  one  single  life ;  what  sufferings  may  be  endured,  what 


EARNESTNESS.  171 

power  exerted,  what  results  produced,  by  one  man,  who 
is  constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ,  and  filled  with  all  the 
fulness  of  God ;  and  what  God  can  accomplish,  in  fulfilling 
the  pui'poses  of  his  wisdom  and  love,  by  the  instrumen- 
tahty  of  an  individual  of  our  species.  There  is  a  short 
sentence  in  his  epistle  to  the  Philippians,  which,  in  a  few 
words,  sums  up  his  whole  life  and  labors, — "  For  me  to 
LIVE  IS  Christ."  What  a  compass  of  meaning,  what  a 
manifestation  of  soul,  what  a  comprehension  of  purpose 
and  plan,  do  those  few  monosyllables  contain !  "  Christ  is 
my  life :  apart  from  him  and  his  work  I  seem  to  have  no 
separate  existence :  I  have  grown  into  that  one  object." 

This  is  earnestness :  and  what  obligation  rested  on  Paul 
to  cultivate  it,  which  does  not  rest  on  us  ?  What  was 
Christ  to  him,  which  he  ought  not  to  be  to  us  ?  Why 
should  he  thus  labor  for  souls,  and  not  we  ?  Is  there  a 
single  reason  which  appertains  to  him,  that  does  not  ap- 
pertain to  us  ?  Ministers  of  Christ,  read  this  great  man's 
life  with  a  view  to  know  what  you  ought  to  be,  and  how 
you  ought  to  live  and  labor.  In  view  of  what  this  blessed 
apostle  was,  and  how  he  labored,  will  you  be  satisfied  with 
cold  intellectuality,  flowery  orations,  subtle  metaphysics ; 
with  thinking  you  have  answered  the  end  of  your  calling 
when  you  have  composed  two  sermons  a  week,  and  kept 
the  people  tolerably  well  satisfied  with  your  labors  ?  Will 
you  think  it  enough  to  be  a  close  student,  a  hard  reader, 
a  good  writer — though  all  this  while  souls  are  not  con- 
verted to  God,  nor  the  cause  of  religion  advanced  in  the 
world?  Talk  you  of  hard  labor,  and  severe  trials,  and 
scanty  incomes,  and  ungrateful  congregations,  and  fickle 
friends  ?  listen  to  his  tale,  and  be  silent  :  "  In  labors  more 
abundant,  in  stripes  above  measure,  in  prisons  more  fre- 
quent, in  deaths  oft.     Of  the  Jews  five  times  received  I 


1Y2  fiXAMPLES    OF 

forty  stripes  save  one.  Thrice  was  I  beaten  with  rods, 
once  was  I  stoned,  thrice  I  suffered  shipwr^vik,  a  night  and 
a  day  have  I  been  in  the  deep  ;  in  journey ings  often,  in 
perils  of  waters,  in  perils  of  robbers,  in  perils  by  mine  own 
countrymen,  in  perils  by  the  heathen,  in  perils  in  the  city, 
in  perils  in  the  wilderness,  in  perils  in  the  sea,  in  perils 
among  false  brethren ;  in  weariness  and  painfulness,  in 
watchings  often,  in  hunger  and  thirst,  in  fastings  often, 
in  cold  and  nakedness.  Beside  those  things  that  are 
without,  that  which  cometh  upon  me  daily,  the  care 
of  all  the  churches.  Who  is  weak,  and  I  am  not 
weak?  who  is  offended,  and  I  burn  not?"  Is  there  to  be 
found  in  human  composition  such  a  passage  as  this  ?  In 
reading  this  who  can  help  asking.  What  have  /  done  or 
suffered  for  Christ,  that  can  give  me  a  title  to  be  ranked  as 
a  minister  of  Christ  after  this  ? 

But  perhaps  this  also  is  too  lofty  an  example  to  have 
much  weight  with  you ;  then  take  an  instance  next  from  the 
Nonconformist's  Memorial.  It  appears  from  the  diaiy  of 
that  eminent  servant  of  Christ,  Oliver  Heywood,  that  in 
one  year,  beside  his  stated  work  on  the  Lord's  day,  he 
preached  one  hundred  and  fifty  times ;  kept  fifty  days  of 
fasting  and  prayer,  and  nine  of  thanksgiving  ;  and  travelled 
fourteen  hundred  miles  in  the  service  of  Christ  and  immor- 
tal souls.  And  when  we  consider  that  these  journeys 
must  have  been  either  on  foot  or  on  horseback,  this  dis- 
tance was  more  than  ten  thousand  miles  by  our  modern 
railways.  And  then  think  of  Baxter,  that  wondrous  man, 
who,  though  hunted  and  imprisoned  by  the  demon  of 
persecution,  and  tortured  with  the  stone,  was  always 
preaching  and  writing,  tiil  he  had  composed  and  published 
those  hundred  and  twenty  volumes,  the  very  writing  of 
which,  as  to  the  mechanical  act  alone,  seemed  enough  to 


earjtestness.  173 

occupy  a  whole  life,  and  of  the  contents  of  which  the  cele- 
brated Dr.  Barrow  said,  that  "  his  practical  works  were 
never  mended,  nor  his  controversial  ones  ever  confuted." 

Now  turn  to  those  extraordinary  men,  Wesley  and 
Whitfield  ;  and  who  of  us  can  read  the  account  preserved 
to  us  of  their  amazing  labors,  and  equally  amazing  success, 
without  something  of  a  self-reproachful  and  desponding 
feeling,  as  if  we  were  living  almost  in  vain  ?  When  we  see 
them  dividing  their  whole  lives  between  the  pulpit,  the 
closet,  and  the  class-room ;  sacrificing  all  domestic  enjoy- 
ment and  personal  ease ;  encountering  savage  mobs,  and 
addressing  congregated  thousands;  pacing  backward  and 
forward  the  whole  length  of  the  kingdom,  and  crossing  the 
ocean  many  times ;  moving  the  population  of  cities,  and 
filling  nations  with  the  fame  and  the  fruit  of  their  evan- 
gelical labors  ;  breathing  little  else  than  the  atmosphere  of 
crowded  chapels  and  preaching-rooms,  except  when  they 
lifted  up  their  voice  under  the  canopy  of  heaven ;  regaling 
themselves,  not  with  the  dainties  of  the  table,  nor  the 
repose  of  the  soft,  luxurious  couch,  but  with  the  tears  of 
the  penitent,  and  the  songs  of  the  rejoicing  believer; 
making  it  their  one  and  only  business  to  seek  the  salvation 
of  souls,  and  their  one  and  only  happiness  to  rejoice  in  the 
number  of  their  conversions ;  indiff'erent  alike  to  the  savage 
fury  of  their  persecutors,  and  the  fondest  flatteries  of  their 
followers ;  sometimes  rising  from  the  bed  of  sickness  to 
address  the  multitude  in  circumstances  which  rendered  it 
probable  they  would  exchange  the  pulpit  for  the  tomb ;  to 
sura  up  all  in  one  short  sentence,  wearing  out  life  in  labor 
so  great  that  it  looked  as  if  they  were  in  haste  to  die ; 
when  we  see  this,  how  can  we  endure  to  think  of  the  way 
in  which  we  are  living,  or  scarcely  imagine  that  we  are 
living  at  all  ?     How  can  we  read  their  lives,  and  not  blush 


1*74  EXAMPLES    OF 

for  ourselves?  How  can  we  witness  their  earnestness, 
and  not  feel  as  if  we  knew  nothing  of  the  passion  for  saving 
souls  ? 

And  what  shall  be  said  of  Brainerd,  the  missionary  of 
Christ,  and  preacher  of  the  gospel  to  the  American 
Indians  ?  See  him  harassed  by  a  nervous  and  gloomy  de- 
jection, wearing  down  by  a  slow  consumption  ;  yet,  for  the 
love  of  souls,  dwelling  amidst  savages,  helping  to  build  his 
own  comfortless  and  ill-furnished  hut;  living  at  times  on 
parched  corn;  travelling  and  benighted  in  the  woods, 
sleeping,  if  sleep  he  could,  wet  and  cold,  in  a  tree ;  throw- 
ing himself  down,  on  his  return  to  his  own  solitary  dwelling, 
on  his  hard  bed,  with  none  to  comfort  him  ;  and,  amidst  all 
this,  long  tried  and  harassed  by  the  want  of  success  in  his 
apostolical  labors — and  all  this  for  the  love  of  souls,  and 
the  glory  of  Christ !  Where,  0  where,  even  among  mod- 
ern missionaries,  to  say  nothing  of  ministers  at  home,  do 
we  find  this  rigorous  self-denial,  this  self-sacrificing  dis- 
position, this  intense  desire  after  the  salvation  of  souls ! 

We  may  profitably  refer  to  one  more  instance  of  minis- 
terial devotedness — that  is,  the  excellent  Dr.  Payson,  of 
America,  whose  biography  should  be  read  by  every  Chris- 
tian pastor.  Many  have  read  it,  and  we  would  hope  with 
no  small  advantage.  During  his  ministry  his  solicitude  for 
the  salvation  of  souls  was  so  earnest,  that  he  impaired  his 
health  by  the  frequency  of  his  fastings  and  the  impor- 
tunity of  his  prayers.  His  whole  life  was  spent  in  one 
constant  series  of  efforts  to  produce  revivals  of  religion ; 
and  the  anguish  of  his  mind  when  his  labors  failed,  was  so 
acute,  as  to  bring  on  bodily  disease.  It  was  said  of  him 
by  his  biographer,  that  his  language,  his  conversation,  and 
his  whole  deportment  were  such  as  brought  home  and 
fastened  on  the  minds  of  his  hearers  the  conviction,  that 


EARNESTNESS.  175 

he  believed,  and  therefore  spoke.  So  important  did  lie  re- 
gard such  a  conviction  in  the  attendants  on  his  ministry, 
that  he  made  it  the  topic  of  one  of  his  addresses  to  his 
clerical  brethren,  which  he  entitled,  "  The  importance  of 
convincing  our  heareis  that  toe  believe  what  we  preach.^* 
In  the  course  of  this  address  he  remarks,  that  a  minister, 
"  in  delivering  his  message  as  an  ambassador  of  Christ, 
would  show  that  he  felt  deeply  penetrated  with  a  convic- 
tion of  its  truth  and  infinite  importance.  He  would  speak 
Uke  one  whose  whole  soul  was  filled  with  his  subject.  He 
would  speak  of  Christ  and  his  salvation,  as  a  grateful,  ad- 
miring people  would  speak  of  a  great  and  generous  deliv- 
erer, who  had  devoted  his  life  for  the  welfare  of  his  coun- 
try. He  would  speak  of  eternity,  as  one  whose  eye  had 
been  wearied  by  attempting  to  penetrate  its  unfathomable 
recesses,  and  describe  its  awful  realities,  like  a  man  who 
stood  on  the  vei-ge  of  time,  and  had  hfted  the  veil  which 
conceals  them  from  the  view  of  mortals.  Thoughts  that 
glow  and  words  that  burn  would  compose  his  pubhc  ad- 
dresses, and  while  a  sense  of  the  dignity  of  his  ofi&cial 
character,  and  the  infinite  importance  of  his  subject,  would 
lead  him  to  speak  as  one  having  authority,  with  indescrib- 
able solemnity,  weight  and  energy,  a  full  recollection  that 
he  was  by  nature  a  child  of  wrath,  and  that  he  was  ad- 
dressing fellow  men  and  fellow  sinners,  mingled  with  com- 
•nassion  for  their  wretched  state,  and  an  ardent  desire  after 
their  salvation,  would  spread  an  air  of  tenderness  over  his 
discourses,  and  invest  him  with  that  affectionate,  melting, 
persuasive  correctness  of  manner,  which  is  best  calculated 
to  affect  and  penetrate  the  heart.  To  say  all  in  one  word, 
he  would  speak  like  an  ambassador  of  Him  who  spake  as 
never  man  spake,  and  who  would  say,  *  We  speak  that  w© 
4o  know,  and  testify  that  we  have  seen  !' " 


1V6  EXAMPLES    OF 

When  disabled  by  increasing  disease  from  preaching,  Dr. 
Payson  carried  with  him  into  his  sick  chamber  all  his  un- 
diminished earnestness  for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Being 
present  on  one  occasion  at  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  he  rose,  and  thus  addressed  his  flock :  "  Ever 
since  I  became  a  minister,  it  has  been  my  earnest  wish  that 
I  might  die  from  disease  which  would  allow  me  to  preach 
a  farewell  sermon  to  my  people ;  but  as  it  is  not  probable 
I  shall  ever  be  able  to  do  this,  I  will  attempt  to  say  a  few 
words  now  ;  it  may  be  the  last  time  I  shall  ever  address 
you.  This  is  not  merely  a  presentiment :  it  is  an  opinion 
founded  on  facts,  and  maintained  by  physicians  who  know 
my  case,  that  I  shall  never  behold  another  spring. 

**  And  now,  standing  on  the  borders  of  the  eternal  world, 
I  look  back  upon  my  past  ministry,  and  on  the  manner  in 
which  I  have  performed  its  duties ;  and  oh,  my  hearers,  if 
you  have  not  performed  your  duties  better  than  I  have 
done,  woe  !  woe !  be  to  you — imless  you  have  an  Advo- 
cate and  Intercessor  in  heaven.  We  have  lived  together 
twenty  years,  and  have  spent  more  than  a  thousand  Sab- 
baths together,  and  I  have  given  you  at  least  two  thousand 
warnings.  I  am  now  going  to  give  an  account  how  they 
were  given  ;  and  you,  my  hearers,  will  soon  have  to  give 
an  account  how  they  were  received.  One  more  warning  I 
will  give  you.  Once  more  your  shepherd,  who  will  be 
yours  no  longer,  entreats  you  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come.  Oh,  let  me  have  the  happiness  of  seeing  my  dear 
people  attend  to  their  eternal  interests,  that  I  may  not 
have  reason  to  say,  *  I  have  labored  in  vain,  I  have  spent 
my  strength  for  nought.'  " 

After  this  he  entered  the  chapel  but  once  more.  Con- 
fined now  to  his  house  and  to  his  room,  he  still  carried  out 
his  intense  desires  to  be  useful  in  saving  souls,  by  dictating 


EARNESTNESS.  177 

letters  and  addresses  to  individuals  and  to  bodies.  Per- 
sons under  anxious  concern  for  their  salvation,  young  con- 
verts entering  on  the  Christian  life,  ministers  just  com- 
mencing the  arduous  duties  of  their  office,  and  various 
bodies  and  classes  of  individuals,  among  whom  were  the 
young  men,  were  sent  for  to  visit  him  in  his  sick  chamber, 
and  receive  his  dying  counsels  and  admonitions.  What 
messages  also  went  forth  from  that  scene  of  agony  and  of 
glory,  to  ministers  and  friends !  His  "  ruling  passion  was 
strong  in  death."  His  love  for  preaching  was  as  invincible 
as  that  of  the  miser  for  gold,  who  dies  grasping  his  treas- 
ure. Dr.  Payson  directed  a  label  to  be  attached  to  his 
bi-east,  with  the  words,  "  Rememher  the  words  lohich  I  have 
s'polcen  unto  you,  while  I  loas  yet  present  loith  you  f  that 
they  might  be  read  by  all  who  came  to  look  at  his  corpse ; 
and  by  which  he  being  dead,  yet  spake.  The  same  words, 
at  the  request  of  his  people,  were  engraven  on  the  plate  of 
the  coffin,  and  read  by  thousands  on  the  day  of  inter- 
ment. 

Here  was  a  beautiful  instance  of  ministerial  earnestness, 
and  if  I  have  dwelt  longer  on  this  than  on  some  of  the 
still  more  illustrious  ones  which  have  preceded  it,  the  rea- 
son may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  it  is  tlie  example  of  a 
minister  of  our  own  times,  and  placed  in  nearly  the  same 
circumstances  as  ourselves  ;  and  also  in  the  wish  that  many 
who  have  not  read  this  most  instructive  piece  of  ministerial 
biography,  may  be  induced  b)'  these  extracts  to  peruse  the 
volume.  That  man's  heart  must  be  in  a  bad  state  indeed, 
both  as  a  Christian  and  a  minister,  who  is  not  made  the 
holier  and  more  earnest  by  contemplating  this  bright  and 
lovely  example. 

Leaving  the  ministry,  and  turning  towards  the  laity  for 
some  rares  examples  of  unquenchable  ardor,  we  find  two^ 


178 


EXAMPLES    OF 


deserving,  above  most,  of  honorable  mention  and  assiduous 
imitation — Lady  Huntingdon,  and  the  late  Thomas  Wil- 
son, Esq.,  of  Highbury.  In  the  former  we  see  a  peeress, 
related  of  course  to  many  noble  famihes,  to  whom  the  hon- 
ors of  the  court  and  the  elegancies  of  fashion  were  accessi- 
ble, relinquishing,  from  the  hour  of  her  conversion  to  God, 
all  these  pomps  and  gaities  of  the  world,  and  consecrating 
her  rank,  her  influence,  and  her  wealth,  to  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  salvation  of  souls ;  quitting  the  saloons  of  the 
gay  for  the  conventicles  of  the  pious ;  and  the  society  of 
nobles,  statesmen,  orators,  and  wits,  to  hold  converse  with 
itinerant  preachers;  selling  her  jewels  to  enable  her  to 
purchase  chapels ;  opening  her  own  drawing-room  for  re- 
ligious worship ;  and  unmoved  or  undiverted  by  the  won- 
der, the  reproach,  and  the  sneers  of  a  proud  and  scoffing 
aristocracy ;  pursuing,  with  an  intensity  which  they  could 
as  little  comprehend  as  they  could  the  object  to  which  it 
was  directed,  the  spread  of  evangelical  truth  and  the  sal- 
vation of  immortal  souls,  both  among  the  rich  and  the 
poor.  In  this  one  object  her  whole  life  was  bound  up, 
apart  from  which  she  had  neither  occupation  nor  enjoy- 
ment. 

Pretty  much  the  same  may  be  said  of  the  late  Treasurer 
of  Highbury  College.  We  waited  not  for  the  very  valua- 
ble and  interesting  memoir  of  this  inestimable  man,  with 
which  his  son  has  favored  the  world,  to  convince  us  of  this  ; 
much  as  the  conviction  is  deepened,  and  the  impression 
perpetuated,  by  the  tout  ensemble  of  the  life  and  character 
there  presented  to  our  view:  those  who  knew  Mr.  Wilson — • 
and  who  in  the  religious  circle  of  all  parties  did  not  know 
him  ? — ever  considered  him  as  a  man  of  extraordinary  zeal 
and  great  benevolQnce,  and  a  most  useful  specimen  of  an 
earnest  man.     This  charactci  will  be  assigned  to  him,  even 


EARNESTNESS.  1^9 

Dy  those  who  differed  from  him  in  some  views  of  the  object 
on  which  he  lavished  the  energies  of  liis  active  mind,  and 
the  resources  of  his  ample  fortune.  But  now  that  the 
whole  outward  career  of  this  indefatigable  man  is  laid  be- 
fore us,  and  the  mechanism  of  his  heart,  as  the  spring  of 
his  energy,  is  disclosed  to  us  in  this  seasonable  and  instruct- 
ive biography,  we  learn  the  important  lesson  how  much 
one  man,  whose  heart  is  given  to  the  work,  may  accom- 
plish in  the  way  of  evangelizing  our  dark  and  wretched 
world.  Perhaps  modern  times  have  produced  or  presented 
few  more  striking  instances  of  that  quality  of  character 
which  it  is  the  design  of  this  volume  to  illustrate  and  to  en- 
force. He  selected  his  one  object  of  life,  and  that  was  the 
support  and  spread  of  evangelical  rehgion,  by  means  of 
building  chapels,  and  the  education  and  support  of  minis- 
ters, in  connection  with  the  denomination  to  which  he  be- 
longed For  this  he  retired  from  business,  and  consecrated 
to  it  his  time,  his  fortune,  his  influence,  and  his  piety. 
His  journeys /rom  home,  and  his  occupation  at  home,  were 
in  a  great  measure  devoted  to  this.  He  had  his  office,  his 
clerk,  his  house  of  business,  his  correspondence,  in  refer- 
ence to  this,  as  much  as  the  merchant  has  for  his  commer- 
cial affairs.  To  this  was  given  his  conversation  in  company, 
and  his  musing  and  letters  when  alone.  The  consumma- 
tion of  one  scheme  of  usefulness  in  his  o\vn  hne  of  effort, 
was  but  the  commencement  of  another.  While  others 
talked,  he  worked.  We  knew  where  to  find  him,  and  how 
he  was  employed.  If  a  voice  from  heaven  had  command- 
ed him  to  build  chapels,  and  educate  ministers,  ke  could 
not  have  pursued  this  object  with  more  fixedness  of  aim, 
unity  of  action,  and  steady  perseverance,  than  he  mani- 
fested. He  knew  his  object,  and  therefore  needed  no  coun- 
sel :  he  loved  it,  and  suffered  nothing  to  divert  his  mind 


180  EXAMPLES    OF    EARNESTXESo. 

from  it ;  he  saw  its  practicability,  and  hearkened  to  no  ob- 
jections. If  others  would  act  with  him,  well ;  and  if  not, 
he  would  go  alone.  It  was  not  brilliant  talents,  nor  a 
princely  fortune,  nor  a  commanding  eloquence — though  he 
had  good  abilities,  a  handsome  income,  and  an  easy  utter- 
ance— but  it  was  earnestness,  that  made  him  what  he  was, 
and  enabled  him  to  do  what  he  did.  Yes,  Thomas  Wil- 
son was  an  earnest  man  :  and  would  to  God  that  all  whom 
he  helped  to  introduce  into  the  ministry  partook,  in  the 
still  more  sacred  duties  of  their  calling,  of  the  same  inten- 
sity of  action  as  he  did  in  his. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

MOTIVES     TO     EARNESTNESS; 

AND  THE  INDISPENSABLE  NECESSITY  OF  IT. 

I.  It  is  demanded  alike  hy  the  theme  and  the  object  of  it. 

When  Pilate  proposed  to  the  illustrious  prisoner  at  his 
bar  the  question,  What  is  truth  ?  he  placed  before  him  the 
most  momentous  subject  which  can  engage  the  attention 
of  a  rational  creature  ;  and  if  Christ  refused  to  give  an 
answer,  his  silence  is  to  be  accounted  for  by  the  captious 
or  trifling  spirit  of  the  querist,  and  not  by  any  supposed 
insignificance  of  the  question,  since  truth  is  the  most  valu- 
able thing  in  the  universe,  next  to  holiness ;  and  it  is  truth 
that  is  the  theme  of  our  ministry,  even  that  which  by  way 
of  eminence  and  distinction  is  called  the  truth.  Take  any 
branch  of  general  science,  be  it  what  it  may,  and  how- 
ever valuable  and  important  it  may  be  considered,  its  most 
enthusiastic  student  and  admirer  cannot  claim  for  it,  par 
excellence,  that  supremacy  which  is  implied  in  the  definite 
article,  the  truth.  Who  shall  adjust  the  claims  for  this 
distinction,  between  the  various  sciences  of  natural  and 
moral  truth,  and  declare  which  is  the  rightful  possessor  of 
the  throne,  against  the  false  pretensions  of  usurpers  ? 
Who?     The   God  of  truth  himself:  and  he  has  done  it; 

16 


182  MOTIVES    TO 

and  placing  the  Bible  on  the  seat  of  majesty  in  the  temple 
of  truth,  has  called  upon  all  systems  of  philosophy  what- 
ever, to  fall  down  and  do  it  homage.  This  is  our  subject : 
eternal,  immutable  truth — truth  given  pure  from  its  divine 
source,  and  given  with  the  evidence  and  impress  of  its  own 
omniscient  Author.  Oh,  what  are  the  loftiest  and  noblest 
of  the  sciences  ; — chemistry,  with  its  beautiful  combinations 
and  affinities  ;  or  astronomy,  with  its  astounding  numbers, 
magnitudes,  distances,  and  revolutions  of  worlds ;  or  geo- 
logy, with  its  marvellous  and  incalculable  dates  of  by-gone 
millions  of  ages  ; — to  the  truths  of  revelation  ?  What  is 
dead,  inert  matter,  with  its  laws  of  materiality, — however 
diversified,  classified,  or  combined,— compared  with  the 
world  of  mind,  of  souls,  of  immateriality  and  immortality, 
and  with  the  laws  of  moral  truth  by  which  they  are  regu- 
lated ?  What  is  nature,  to  the  God  of  nature  ?  what 
the  heavens  and  the  earth,  to  the  glorious  mind  that  looks 
out  upon  them  through  the  organ  of  vision,  as  from  a  win- 
dow that  commands  the  grand  and  boundless  prospect  ? 
what  the  fleeting  term  of  man's  existence  upon  earth, 
with  its  little  cycles  of  care,  and  sorrow,  and  labor,  com- 
pared with  the  eternal  ages  through  which  the  soul  holds 
on  her  course  of  deathless  existence  ?  The  works  of  crea- 
tion are  a  dim  and  twilight  manifestation  of  God's  nature, 
compared  with  the  grandeur  and  more  perfect  medium  of 
redemption.  The  person  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  itself 
a  wonder,  and  a  mystery,  which  shall  shine  all  other  dis- 
plays of  Deity  into  darkness ;  this  is  the  shekinah  in  the 
holy  of  holies  of  the  temple  of  God's  creation,  towards 
which,  as  they  bend  over  the  mercy-seat  of  his  work  of 
redemption,  all  orders  of  created  spirits,  from  the  most  dis- 
tant parts  of  the  universe,  reverently  turn  and  do  homage 
to  the  great  God  our  Saviour.     This,  this  is  our  theme — 


EARNESTNESS.  1S3 

the  truth  of  God,  and  concerning  him ;  the  truth  of  an 
incarnate  Deity;  the  truth  of  man's  redemption  by  the 
cross ;  the  truth  of  the  moral  law,  the  eternal  standard  of 
rectitude,  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil ;  the 
truth  of  the  gospel,  as  the  tree  of  life  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God ;  the  truth  of  immortality,  and  of  heaven, 
and  of  hell ;  the  truth  couched  under  the  symbols  of  the 
Levitical  law,  and  the  predictions  of  inspired  prophets, 
and  fully  exhibited  in  the  gospels  of  evangelists,  and  the 
inspired  letters  of  apostles.  Again  I  ask  exultingly  and 
rapturously,  what  are  the  discoveries  of  Newton,  or  of 
Davy,  or  the  inventions  of  Watt,  or  of  Arkwright,  com- 
pared with  these  ?  Viewing  man  in  his  relation  to  immor- 
tality, as  a  sinful  and  moral  agent,  what  is  art  or  science, 
compared  with  revealed  truth?  And  shall  we,  can  we, 
be  otherwise  than  earnest  in  the  promulgation  of  tlm  truth  ? 
Shall  we  touch  such  themes  with  a  careless  hand,  and  a 
dronish  mind  ?  Shall  we  slumber  over  truths  which  keep 
awake  the  attention,  and  keep  in  activity  the  energies  of 
all  orders  of  created  intelligences,  and  which  are  the  object 
and  the  resting-place  of  the  uncreated  mind  ?  Let  us 
look  at  the  earnestness  with  which  the  sons  of  science  pur- 
sue their  studies  :  with  what  enthusiasm  they  delve  into 
the  earth,  or  soar  on  the  telescope  to  the  heavens,  or  hang 
over  the  fire  ;  with  what  prolonged  and  patient  research 
the}'  carry  on  their  experimtnts,  and  pursue  their  analyses  ; 
how  unwearied  in  toil,  and  how  enduring  in  disappoint- 
ment, they  are  ;  and  then  how  rapturously  they  hold  up 
to  the  world's  gazing  and  wondering  eye  some  new  parti- 
cle of  truth,  which  they  have  found  out  after  all  this  peer- 
ing and  prying  into  nature's  undiscovered  secrets  !  Minis- 
ters of  the  gospel,  is  it  thus  with  the  men  who  have  to 
find  out  the  truths  of  nature,  and  shall  we,  who  have  the 


184  MOTIVES    TO 

volume  of  inspired,  revealed  trutli  opened  before  us,  drone, 
and  loiter,  and  trifle  over  such  momentous  realities?  Shall 
the  example  of  earnestness  be  taken  from  him  who  analyzes 
man's  lifeless  flesh,  to  tell  us  by  the  laws  of  organic  chem- 
istry its  component  parts,  rather  than  from  him  who  has 
to  do  with  the  truths  that  relate  to  the  immortal  soul  ? 
Shall  he  whose  discoveries  and  lessons  have  no  higher  ob- 
ject tlian  our  material  globe,  and  no  longer  date  than  its 
existence,  be  more  intensely  in  earnest,  than  we  who  have 
to  do  with  the  truth  that  relates  to  God  and  the  whole 
moral  universe,  and  the  truth  that  is  to  last  through  eter- 
nity ?  What  deep  shame  should  cover  us  for  our  want  of 
ardor  and  enthusiasm  in  such  a  service  as  this  ! 

And  then  what  is  the  purpose  for  which  this  truth,  so 
grand,  so  awful,  so  sublime,  is  revealed  by  God,  and  to  be 
preached  by  us  ?  Not  simply  to  gratify  curiosity ;  not 
merely  to  conduct  tlie  mind  seeking  for  knowledge,  to  the 
fountains  where  it  may  slake  its  thirst ;  no,  but  to  save  the 
immortal  soul  from  sin,  and  death,  and  hell,  and  conduct 
it  to  the  abodes  of  a  glorious  immortality.  The  man  whc 
can  handle  such  topics,  and  for  such  a  purpose,  in  an  un- 
impassioned,  careless  manner,  and  an  icy  heart,  is  the  most 
astounding  instance  of  guilty  lukewarmness  in  the  uni- 
verse :  to  his  self-contradiction  no  parallel  can  be  found  : 
and  he  remains  a  fearful  instance  how  far  it  is  possible  for 
the  human  mind  to  go  in  the  most  obvious,  palpable,  and 
guilty  inconsistency.  A  want  of  earnestness  in  the  execu- 
tion of  that  commission  which  is  designed  to  save  immor- 
tal souls  from  eternal  ruin,  and  raise  them  to  everlasting 
life,  is  a  spectacle  Avhich,  if  it  were  not  so  common,  would 
fill  us  with  amazement,  indignation,  and  contempt.  We 
have  read  the  speeches  of  the  gi-eat  masters  of  eloquence, 
both  of  ancient  and  modem  times ;  and  have  read  also  of 


EARNKSTNESS,  185 

the  intense  anxiety,  and  untiring  effort,  with  which  they 
have  sustained  hy  corresponding  efforts,  the  mighty  pe- 
riods that  flashed  from  their  burning  souls  :  and  do  we  con- 
demn as  enthusiasts  the  Athenian  orator  who  thus  ago- 
nized to  save  his  country  from  the  yoke  of  Pliilip  ;  the 
majestic  Roman  who  roused  the  indignation  of  the  repub- 
lic against  the  treason  of  Cataline ;  or  our  own  Wilber- 
force,  who  for  twenty  years  lifted  his  voice,  and  appealed 
to  the  justice  and  mercy  of  a  British  Parliament,  against 
the  atrocities  of  the  slave  trade  ?  On  the  contrary,  we 
deem  no  eulogy  sufficient  to  express  our  admiration  of 
their  noble  enthusiasm.  But  our  panegyric  upon  them  is 
a  condemnation  upon  ourselves ;  for  how  far  short  of  them 
do  we  fall  in  earnestness,  though  the  salvation  of  a  single 
soul,  out  of  all  the  multitudes  that  come  under  the  influ- 
ence of  our  ministrations,  is  an  event,  which  in  its  conse- 
quences is  inconceivably  more  momentous,  because  endur- 
ing through  eternity,  than  all  the  objects,  collectively,  for 
which  these  men  exhausted  the  energies  of  their  intellect 
and  life.  Do  we  really  believe  that  we  are  either  a  savor 
of  life  unto  life,  or  of  death  imto  death,  to  them  that  hear 
us  ?  Or  is  this  mere  official  phraseology,  which  is  never 
intended  to  be  understood  in  its  ordinary  import  ?  Is  it 
a  matter  of  fact,  or  only  the  solemn  garnish  of  a  sermon, 
the  trickery  and  puffing  of  pulpit  vanity,  that  souls  are 
perpetually  rising  from  beneath  our  ministry  into  the  felici- 
ties and  honors  of  the  skies,  or  dropping  from  around  our 
desk  into  the  bottomless  pit  ?  Are  companies  of  immor- 
tal spirits  continually  emigrating  from  our  congregations 
to  colonize  eternity,  to  people  heaven  or  hell,  to  swell  the 
numbers  of  the  redeemed,  or  to  add  to  the  multitude  of 
the  lost  ?  If  this  be  true,  and  we  are  gross  deceivers, 
mere   pidpit   actors,    reverend   hypocrites,  if  we   do   not 

16* 


186  MOTIVES    TO 

believe  in  their  truth, — then  where  is  the  earnestness  that 
must  give  consistency  to  our  professions,  and  which  is 
appropriate  to  our  situation,  and  adequate  to  our  convic- 
tions ?  Have  we  really  become  so  carelessly,  so  criminally 
familiar  with  such  topics  as  salvation  and  damnation,  that 
we  can  descant  upon  them  with  the  same  calmness,  coolness, 
not  to  say  indifference,  with  which  the  pubHc  lecturer  will 
discuss  one  of  the  minutest  branches  of  natural  philoso- 
phy ?  0  where  is  our  reason,  our  religion,  our  consist- 
ency ? 

II.  Earnestness  is  imperatively  demanded  hy  the  state  of 
the  human  mind,  viewed  in  relation  to  the  truths  and  the 
object  just  set  forth. 

This  was  glanced  at  in  an  earlier  part  of  the  work,  but 
must  be  now  resumed  and  amplified.  The  entreating  and 
beseeching  importunity  employed  by  the  apostle,  and  which 
are  found  to  be  no  less  necessary  to  us,  presuppose,  on  the 
part  of  its  objects,  reluctance  to  come  into  a  state  of  recon- 
ciliation with  God,  which  must  be  assailed  by  the  force  of 
vehement  persuasion.  Although  we  have  to  treat  with  a 
revolted  world,  a  world  engaged  in  mad  conflict  with 
Omnipotence,  yet,  if  the  guilty  rebels  were  weary  of  their 
hostilities,  and  in  utter  hopelessness  of  success,  were  pre- 
pared, on  the  first  offer  of  mercy,  to  throw  down  tlieir 
arras,  and  in  the  spirit  of  contrition  to  sue  for  pardon,  ours 
would  be  an  easy  mission,  and  we  might  spare  ourselves 
the  trouble  of  earnestness  and  expostulation.  But  the 
very  reverse  is  the  case.  "The  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
against  God,  and  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither 
indeed  can  be."  The  hearts  of  men  are  fully  set  in  them 
to  do  evil.  We  find  them  taken  up,  occupied,  influenced, 
governed,  by  the  palpable  and  visible  things  of  the  present 
life ;  and   our  business  is  to  engage  them  in  a  constant 


EARNESTNESS.  187 

resistance  of  the  undue  influence  of  the  things  which  are 
seen  and  temporal,  and  to  do  this  by  a  vigorous  faith  in 
things  that  are  unseen  and  eternal.  Our  aim  and  labor  are, 
by  the  power  of  the  unseen  world  to  come,  to  deliver  them 
from  the  spell  of  the  present  state,  with  whose  pageantry 
they  are  enamored,  and  under  whose  fascination  they  are 
well  pleased  to  continue.  And  then,  apart  from,  or  at  any 
rate  in  connection  with  this,  they  are  so  occupied  by  the 
pursuits  of  business,  so  engrossed  by  the  cares,  the  com- 
forts, and  the  trials  of  life,  engaged  in  such  breathless 
haste  to  pursue,  such  distracting  bustle  to  possess,  and  such 
ardent  hope  to  enjoy,  the  various  objects  of  their  earthly 
desires,  that  when  we  call  their  attention  to  serious  reliof- 
ion,  as  the  one  thing  needful,  we  are  as  one  who  would 
stop  another  in  a  race  to  offer  him  an  object  foreign  to  that 
for  which  he  is  contending,  and  who,  by  the  competitor 
for  the  prize,  is  deemed  intrusive,  impertinent,  and  ob- 
structive. 

But  the  difficulty  stops  not  here :  if  this  were  all,  we 
should  have  only  a  very  small  share  of  the  opposition 
which  now  calls  forth  our  energy  and  requires  our  most 
strenuous  efforts ;  for  when  we  have  succeeded  in  gaining 
a  hearing  and  arresting  attention,  we  have  to  contend,  not 
only  with  an  indisposition  to  receive  the  truth,  but  a  deter- 
mined hostility  against  it.  We  have,  as  our  first  business, 
to  fasten  a  charge  of  guilt  upon  men  naturally  disposed  to 
think  well  of  themselves:  to  produce  a  sense  of  utter 
worthlessness  and  depravity  in  those,  who,  in  the  utmost 
length  to  which  their  concession  will  go,  admit  only  some 
few  imperfections  and  infirmities ;  to  displace  a  feeling  of 
complacency  by  one  of  self-condemnation  and  abhorrence ; 
and  to  substitute  for  a  general  and  unhumbled  dependence 
upon  divine  mercy,  such  a  conviction  of  exposure  to  the 


188  MOTIVES    TO 

curse  of  a  violated  law,  as  makes  it  difficult  for  the  trem- 
bling penitent  to  see  how  his  pardon  can  be  harmonized 
with  the  claims  of  justice ;  to  ofifer  salvation  upon  terms 
which  leave  not  the  smallest  room  for  self-gratulation,  or 
the  operation  of  pride  ;  indeed,  to  carry  such  a  message  as 
frequently  excites  disgust,  and  calls  forth  the  bitterest 
enmity  of  the  human  heart,  and  arms  all  its  passions  in 
determined  hostility.  And  then  the  salvation  exhibited  in 
the  gospel  is  not  only  opposed  to  the  pride,  but  to  the 
passions  of  the  soul  of  fallen  man.  It  requires  the  excis- 
ion of  sins  dear  as  a  right  hand,  the  surrender  of  objects 
which  have  enamored  the  whole  soul,  the  breaking  up  of 
habits  which  have  grown  with  our  growth,  and  strength- 
ened with  our  strength.  Sometimes  we  have,  in  addition 
to  all  this,  to  summon  our  hearers  to  a  war  without,  as 
well  as  a  conflict  within,  and  to  verify  the  words  of  Christ, 
that  he  came  to  send  a  sword  instead  of  peace,  and  to  set 
parents  against  children,  and  children  against  parents. 
What  minister  has  not  sometimes  felt  his  very  courage 
ready  to  quail,  and  his  steadfastness  in  danger  of  faltering, 
when  called  to  lead  on  some  persecuted  convert  to  brave 
the  cruel  mockings  and  )'eproaches,  the  frowns,  the  threats, 
and  the  violence,  of  his  nearest  and  dearest  earthly  con- 
nections ?  I  agonize  as  I  write,  to  think  what  I,  amon<r 
others,  have  witnessed  of  this  kind.  Verily  it  is  through 
much  tribulation,  that  some,  even  in  these  peaceful  times, 
are  called  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  then, 
to  follow  on  the  difficulties  of  the  Christian  ministry,  to 
prevent  the  first  impressions  of  divine  truth  from  vanishing 
like  the  cloud,  or  exhaling  like  the  dew  ;  to  guide  the  inquirer 
from  finding  repose  anywhere  but  at  the  cross  of  Christ ; 
to  guard  the  feeble,  and  to  inspire  the  timid  with  courage ; 
to  detect  the  deceit  of  the  heart,  and  to  aid  the  novice  in 


EARNESTNESS.  l89 

breaking  off  from  besetting  sins ;  to  inspire  the  resolution 
to  crucify"  tlie  fiesb,  and  to  stimulate  the  soul  to  an  ever 
onward  progress  in  sanctification ;  to  meet  the  epidemic 
malady  of  our  nature,  which  assumes  so  many  sliapes, 
and  appears  under  such  a  variety  of  symptoms,  with  a 
proportionate  and  well-adapted  variety  of  treatment ;  to 
help  the  believer  to  beat  down  his  foes  under  his  feet,  and 
amidst  all  his  various  trials,  temptations,  and  difficulties,  to 
continue  steadfast,  immovable,  and  always  abounding  in 
the  work  of  the  Lord,  notwithstanding  the  conteracting 
influence  of  much  unremoved  corruption  in  his  heart; — 
this,  all  this,  must  require  in  him  who  has  to  do  it,  ear- 
nestness of  the  most  collected  and  concentrated  kind.  To 
carry  on  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  in  this  revolted 
woi'ld,  with  the  intention  and  desire  of  recovering  its  inhab- 
itants from  sin  and  Satan  unto  God,  when  the  opposition 
to  be  overcome  is  considered,  must  appear  to  every  reflect- 
ing mind  the  most  hopeless  of  all  human  undertakings, 
apart  from  the  promised  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  is  this 
alone  that  could  induce  us  to  continue  in  the  ministry 
another  hour.  Without  this  agency,  we  must  retire  in 
utter  despair.  But  then,  even  this  is  not  to  be  viewed, 
much  less  expected,  apart  from  human  instrumentahty ; 
and  man's  earnestness  is  that  very  species  of  instrumental- 
ity which  the  Divine  Agent  employs.  It  is  not  the  feeble 
ministrations  of  the  lukewarm  and  the  nes^lio^ent  that  God 
blesses  for  the  conversion  of  souls,  but  the  heart-breathed 
fervent  wrestlingrs  of  the  ardent  and  the  dilio^ent.  He 
maketh  the  winds  his  messengers,  and  flames  of  fire  his 
ministers.  Here,  then,  is  a  double  argument  for  earnest- 
ness, in  the  difficulties  which  are  to  be  subdued  in  the  ac- 
complishment of  our  object,  and  the  co-operating  agency 
of  the  Spirit  of  God.     The  former  shows  its  indispensable 


190  MOTIVES    TO 

necessity,  and  the  latter  encourages  us  o  put  it  forth. 
Witliout  it,  we  cannot  look  for  the  aid  of  ..he  Spirit ;  and 
without  the  aid  of  the  Spirit,  it  would  be  exerted  in  vain. 
May  we  be  able  to  take  a  right  view  of  our  obstacles  and 
our  resources. 

III.  Consider  the  aspect  of  the  times,  as  affecting  the  hu- 
man inind,  and  the  objects  of  our  ministry. 

The  view  which  has  been  just  given  of  the  difficulties 
that  lie  in  the  way  of  the  faithful  minister,  applies  to  all 
countries  and  to  all  times,  inasmuch  as  the  depravity  of 
human  nature  is  co-extensive  with  the  race  of  man.  But 
still  there  may,  and  do,  exist  circumstances  in  one  age 
and  country,  to  give  greater  force  to  these  difficulties, 
which  are  not  found,  at  any  rate  to  the  same  amount,  in 
others.  The  features  of  our  own  age  are  stiikingly  im- 
pressive, and  in  no  small  degree  hostile  to  the  success  of 
the  gospel,  and  the  prevalence  of  evangelical  piety. 

The  sphere  of  human  pursuits,  whether  we  consider  the 
active  or  speculative  departments,  is  filled  with  unusual 
energy  and  excitement.  Earnestness  is  the  characteristic 
of  the  age.  If  we  tuiTi  our  attention  to  trade,  we  see  men 
throwing  their  whole  soul  into  its  busy  occupations,  and 
laboring  as  if  their  salvation  in  another  world  depended 
upon  their  success  on  earth.  What  ardor  of  competition ; 
what  rage  for  speculation ;  what  looking  about  for  novel 
schemes,  and  what  eagerness  to  embrace  them  when  of- 
fered ;  what  hazardous  and  reckless  gambling,  do  we  see 
going  on  all  around  us, — leaving  out  the  impetus  to  all 
this  which  the  railway  system  has  introduced,  and  saying 
nothing  of  the  multitudes  who,  instead  of  plodding  onward 
in  the  beaten  path  of  regular  trade,  endeavor,  by  watch- 
ing the  share  market,  to  make  a  bound  to  wealth, — how 
engrossing  are  the  pursuits  of  secular  business,  in  these  day« 


EARNESTNESS.  191 

of  large  returns  and  imall  profits.  Think  of  the  consump- 
tion of  time,  and  the  absorption  of  soul,  which  are  neces- 
sary to  maintain  credit  and  respectability ;  and  also  the 
strength  of  religious  principle  which  is  indispensable  to 
follow  the  things  that  are  just,  and  true,  and  honorable, 
and  of  good  report.  How  many  professors  are  in  danger 
of  being  carried  away,  how  many  are  carried  away,  by  the 
tricks,  artifices,  and  all  but  actual  dishonesties  of  modern 
trade  :  and  what  but  a  powerful  and  energetic  ministry  can 
be  expected  to  rouse  and  help  God's  professing  people  to 
bear  up  against,  and  to  keep  in  check,  much  more  to  sub- 
due, this  sordid  and  selfish  spirit  ?  What  can  be  sufficient 
but  an  intense  devotedness  on  the  part  of  ministers  to 
make  things  unseen  and  eternal  beai-  down  the  usurping 
power  of  things  seen  and  temporal  ?  Who  but  the  man 
that  knows  how  to  deal  with  invisible  realities,  and  wield 
the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  can  pluck  the  Avorldling 
from  the  whirlpool  of  perdition  which  sucks  down  so  many 
in  the  torrents  of  earthly-mindedness,  or  prevent  the  pro- 
fessino-  Christian  from  beino-  drawn  into  it  ?  If  our  own 
minds  are  not  much  impressed  with  the  awful  glories  and 
terrors  of  eternity,  we  shall  not  and  cannot  speak  of  these 
things  in  such  a  manner  as  is  likely  to  rescue  our  hearers 
from  the  ruinous  fascinations  of  mammon.  How  in  such 
an  age  we  seem  to  want  a  Baxter  and  a  Doolittle  ;  an 
Edwards  and  a  Howe  ;  a  Whitfield  and  a  Wesley  ;  to 
break  in  with  their  thunder  upon  the  money -loving,  money- 
getting  spirit  of  this  grossly  utilitarian  age. 

Then  think  of  the  engrossing  power  of  politics.  What 
a  spell  has  come  over  the  popular  mind,  from  this  source, 
since  that  tremendous  outburst,  the  French  Revolution ! 
For  more  than  half  a  century  the  potency  of  this  subject 
has  been  perpetually  augmenting,  till   the  rustic  of  the 


192  MOTIVES   ro 

village,  as  well  as  the  merchant  of  the  cily  ,  the  recluse 
student  of  the  cloister,  no  less  than  the  man  of  the  ex- 
change, have  alike  yielded  themselves  up  to  the  fascina- 
tions of  the  newspaper,  now  accommodated,  not  only  to 
every  party  in  politics,  but  to  every  creed  in  religion,  and 
at  the  same  time  cheapened  down  to  almost  the  poorest 
member  of  society.  This  is  matter  neither  of  surprise,  nor, 
provided  it  do  not  thrust  out  other  and  slill  more  impor- 
tant matters,  of  regret.  It  is  but  the  constitution  of  our 
country  developing  the  energies  of  its  popular  element. 
The  people  are  claiming  their  share  of  power  and  influence : 
may  they  prepare  themselves  by  knowledge  and  piety  to 
exercise  it  rightly.  The  stream  and  tendency  of  opinion  in 
Europe  at  large,  as  well  as  in  our  own  country,  is  evidently 
democratic  ;  but  without  education  and  religion,  the  nations 
will  daily  become  desirous  of  more  liberty,  and  at  the  same 
time  less  capable  of  enjoying  and  preserving  it.  The  less 
they  feel  of  outward  force  and  of  the  compulsion  of  secu- 
lar power,  the  more  they  need  the  control  of  moral  prin- 
ciples. At  such  a  time,  when  the  elements  of  good  gov- 
ernment are,  so  to  speak,  in  a  high  state  of  excitement,  and 
amidst  much  repulsion  and  attraction  amongst  themselves, 
are  settling  into  their  proper  order,  there  will  be  such  an 
unusual  degree  of  interest  felt  in  this  great  matter,  as  to 
throw  into  the  shade  matters  of  still  deeper  moment. 

In  sight  of  this,  will  any  one  deny  that  we  want  an 
earnest  ministry  to  break  in  some  degree  the  spell,  and 
leave  the  soul  at  liberty  for  the  affairs  of  a  kingdom  which 
is  not  of  this  world  ?  When  politics  have  come  upon  the 
minds,  and  hearts,  and  imaginations  of  the  people  for  six 
days  out  of  the  sev^en,  invested  with  the  charms  of  elo- 
quence, and  decked  with  the  colors  of  party ;  when  the 
orator  and  the  writer  have  both  thrown  the  witchery  of 


EARNESTNESS.  193 

their  genius  over  the  soul ;  how  can  it  be  expected  that 
tame,  spiritless,  vapid  common-places  from  the  pulpit, — 
sermons  Avithout  either  head  or  heart,  having  neither 
weight  of  1^.1  litter,  nor  grace  of  manner,  neither  genius  to 
compensate  for  the  want  of  taste,  nor  taste  to  compensate 
for  the  want  of  genius  ;  and  what  is  still  worse,  having  no 
unction  of  evangelical  truth,  no  impress  of  eternity,  no  ra- 
diance from  heaven,  no  terror  from  hell ;  in  short,  no 
adaptation  to  awaken  reflection,  produce  conviction,  or 
save  the  soul, — how  can  it  be  expected,  I  say,  that  such 
sermons  can  be  useful  to  accomplish  the  purposes  for  which 
the  gospel  is  to  be  preached  ?  What  chance  have  such 
preachers  to  be  heard  or  felt,  or  what  claim  have  they, 
amidst  the  high  excitement  of  the  times  in  which  they  live  ? 
Their  hearers  too  often  feel,  that  in  listening  to  their  ser- 
mons on  the  Sabbath,  as  compared  with  what  they  have 
heard  or  read  during  the  week,  they  seem  as  if  they  were 
turning  from  the  brilliant  and  tasteful  gas-light  to  the  dim 
and  smoking  spark  of  the  tallow  and  the  rush. 

Another  characteristic  of  our  age  is  an  ever-growing 
taste  for  elegance,  refinement,  and  luxurious  gratification. 
We  cannot  wonder  at  this,  nor,  if  it  be  kept  within  proper 
bounds,  greatly  regret  it.  It  is  next  to  impossible  that  the 
progress  of  art,  and  the  increase  of  wealth,  should  not  add 
to  the  embellishments  of  hfe,  and  multiply  the  sources  of 
tasteful  enjoyment.  But  then,  just  in  proportion  as  we 
multiply  the  attractions  of  earth,  is  our  danger  of  making 
it  our  all,  of  leaving  heaven  out  of  sight,  and  learning  to 
do  without  it.  This  is  affecting  the  church,  and  the  hardy 
and  self-denying  spirit  of  Christianity  is  in  danger  of  being 
^emasculated,  and  of  degenerating  into  a  soft  and  sickly 
effeminacy.  Elegance  and  extravagance,  luxurious  enter- 
tainments and  expensive  feasts,  are  beginning  to  corrupt  the 
17 


194  MOTIVES    TO 

simplicity  that  is  in  Christ ;  .and  amidst  sumptuous  build- 
ings, gorgeous  furnitui-e,  costly  dress,  and  gay  equipages, 
professors  of  religion  are  too  much  setting  their  affections 
on  things  that  are  upon  tlie  earth,  and  turning  away  from 
the  glory  of  the  cross  to  the  glory  of  the  world.  Who  is 
to  call  them  off  from  this  pageantry,  and  make  them  by 
God*s  grace  feel  how  vain  are  all  these  things  ?  Who  can 
set  up  a  breakwater  against  the  billows  of  this  ocean  of 
worldly-mindedness,  and  guard  the  piety  of  the  church 
from  being  entirely  swept  away  by  a  flood  of  ungodhness  ? 
Who  but  a  pastor  that  can  speak  in  power  and  demon- 
stration of  the  Spirit, — a  man  who  shall  lise  Sabbath  after 
Sabbath  in  the  pulpit,  clothed  with  a  potency  to  throw 
into  shadow,  by  his  vivid  representations  of  heaven  and 
eternity,  all  these  painted  nothings  on  which  his  hearers 
are  in  danger  of  squandering  their  immortal  souls  ? 

Akin  to  this  is  a  continually  augmenting  desire  after 
AMUSEMENT.  A  lovc  for  pleasure,  diversion,  and  recreation, 
is  an  appetite  evidently  increasing,  for  which  there  are 
those  who  are  ever  ingenious  and  ever  busy  to  furnish  a 
supply.  Religion  is  no  enemy  to  rational  enjoyment,  even 
though  it  be  not  strictly  spiritual ;  and  they  who  can  sup- 
plant the  low  and  vulgar  sensualities  on  which  the  multi- 
tude have  fed,  by  a  more  refined  and  elevated  taste,  even 
if  it  should  not  rise  into  the  element  of  rehgion,  are  doing 
a  service  to  their  country  and  to  their  species.  But  still, 
a  taste  for  amusement,  both  mental  and  bodily,  may  be 
carried  too  far,  and  many  foreseeing  and  deeply  reflective 
minds  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  going  too  far  now. 

There  cannot  be  a  thoughtful  mind,  one  that  looks  upon 
our  sojourn  in  this  world  as  a  probation  for  eternity,  but 
must  reflect  with  seiious  alarm  and  grief  upon  the  endless 
devices  which  are  suggested  by  the  wisdom  that  cometh 


EARNESTNESS.  ^95 

from  beneath,  to  hide  from  mankind  their  duty  and  their 
destiny  as  immortal  creatm'es.  It  seems  as  if  by  common 
consent,  mankind  were  striving  who  should  be  most  suc- 
cessful, by  inventing  new  kinds  of  diversions,  in  blotting 
from  the  mind  all  considerations  of  eternity.  Pleasure- 
taking  is  the  rage  of  the  day,  a  taste  which  has  been  excited 
into  a  hungry  appetite  by  the  railway  system.  Before 
this  desolating  influence,  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  and 
with  it  of  course  the  prevalence  of  religion,  are  hkely  to 
be  destroyed.  It  may  be  said  that  anything  is  better  than 
the  ale-house  and  the  gin-shop.  This  is  freely  admitted,  but 
it  may  be  questioned  whether  some  of  the  modern  stimu- 
lants to  pleasure  do  not  lead  to,  and  not  from,  these  scenes 
of  iniquity.  The  people,  it  is  affirmed,  must  have  recreation. 
Be  it  so :  but  let  it  be  of  a  healthful  kind,  and  let  the  great 
aim  of  all  who  have  any  influence  upon  the  public  mind 
be  to  endeavor  to  implant  a  taste  for  the  recreations 
afl'orded  by  cheap  and  wholesome  literature,  by  quiet  home 
enjoyments,  and  above  all,  by  the  sacred  delights  of  true 
piety. 

In  connection  with  this  may  be  mentioned,  as  one  par- 
ticular species  of  amusement,  the  taste  for  works  of  humor 
which  has  been  produced  in  this  country  within  the  last 
ten  years.  There  is  no  sin  in  mirth  :  man  is  made  to  enjoy 
it,  and  there  is  a  time  to  laugh  as  well  as  to  weep.  And 
he  must  be  a  very  misanthrope,  a  vampire  which  in  the 
dark  night  of  sorrow  would  suck  the  last  drop  of  happi- 
ness from  the  human  suflferer,  who  would  forbid  the  smiles 
of  gladness,  and  everything  which  ministers  to  the  grati- 
fication of  the  laughter-loving  heart.  But  then  it  is  a  dif- 
ferent thing  from  this,  to  wish  to  keep  down  this  propen- 
sity within  due  bounds,  and  to  remind  men  that  they  have 


196  MOTIVES    TO 

other  things  to  do  in  tliis  world  than  to  laugh  and  oe  merry. 
Dr.  Vaughan  says : — 

"  We  are  not  certain  that  some  of  our  wise  men  do  wisely,  who 
are  going  abroad  just  now,  with  their  cap  and  bells,  in  the  hope  of 
securing  better  attention  to  their  lessons  from  the  fooUsh.  A 
fondness  for  grotesque  jokes  and  everlasting  caricature,  bears  as 
little  resemblance  to  manly  feeling,  as  the  ecstacies  of  a  young 
lady  over  the  last  new  novel.  Truth  is  a  grave  matter,  and  can 
owe  little  ultimately  to  the  services  of  a  bufFoon.  It  loses  half 
its  dignity,  if  often  presented  in  association  with  the  ridiculous. 
Those  who  find  their  chief  pleasure  in  broad  farce,  are  rarely 
capable  of  a  due  exercise  of  earnest  and  reverential  feeling. 
Your  great  wits  do  not  spare  their  best  friends,  and  your  votaries 
of  fun  are  generally  persons  prepared  to  sacrifice  anything  to 
their  god.  The  mind  which  is  wont  to  pay  much  homage  to  the 
laughers,  too  often  forgets  to  pay  a  real  homage  to  anything 
higher.  In  such  a  service  the  fine  edge  of  moral  feeling  is  al- 
most of  necessity  worn  away.  Not  that  we  would  send  a  man 
to  the  bow-string,  because  he  has  indulged  a  laugh.  On  the 
contrary,  the  man  who  cannot  so  indulge  is  not  a  man  to  our 
liking.  There  is  something  wrong  in  him,  physically,  mentally, 
and  morally.  All  truly  healthful  men,  in  the  spiritual,  as  well  as 
in  the  natural  sense,  know  how  to  enjoy  their  laugh.  But  your 
great  laughers  are  generally  slow  workers.  To  make  a  merri- 
ment of  folly  is  not  to  displace  it  by  wisdom.  Our  proper  busi- 
ness here  is  neither  to  grin  nor  to  whine,  but  to  be  men.  We 
say  not  that  good  may  never  be  done  by  means  of  ridicule,  but 
we  are  convinced  that  its  general  effect  is  such  as  we  have  ven- 
tured to  indicate.  It  is  an  instrument,  moreover,  which  has  two 
edges, — use  it,  and  you  have  no  right  to  complain  of  its  being 
used."* 

These  are  wise  and  true  sayings,  as  seasonable  as  they 
are  important,  and  called  for  by  the  excessive  taste  for  this 

♦  British  Quarterly  Review.  No.  VI.  p.  254. 


EARNESTNESS.  197 

species  of  composition  which  now  prevails.  If  anything 
need  be  added  in  corroboration  of  these  arguments,  it  is 
the  fact  stated  by  the  justly  lamented  Dr.  Arnold,  that 
since  the  publication  of  periodical  works  of  humor,  he  had 
perceived  a  visible  declension  of  manly  sentiment  and 
serious  thoughtfulness  among  the  elder  boys  of  his  school. 
This  is  strong  and  decisive  testimony  as  to  the  influence  of 
a  continued  indulgence  in  broad  fai'ce.  Is  there  not  pre- 
cisely the  same  effect  produced  on  the  minds  of  our  young 
men,  especially  when  to  this  is  added  the  moral  tendency 
of  the  sentiments  which  are  sometimes  clothed  in  the  garb 
of  humor?  Nothing  can  be  more  opposed  to,  or  destiiic- 
tive  of,  the  serious  spirit  which  ti-ue  religion  requires,  than 
this  constant  and  regular  supply  of  materials  for  laughter. 
Nor  does  the  mischief  stop  Avith  the  young  and  the  unde- 
cided in  religion,  for  it  is  infecting  the  professors  of 
rehgion.  It  is  hard  to  conceive  how  earnestness  and 
spirituality  can  be  maintained  by  those  whose  tables  are 
covered,  and  whose  leisure  time  is  consumed,  by  these 
bewitching  inspirations  of  the  god  of  laughter.  There  is 
little  hope  of  our  arresting  the  evil,  except  we  make  it  our 
great  business  to  raise  up  a  ministry  who  themselves  shall 
not  be  carried  away  with  the  torrent ;  who  shall  be  grave, 
without  being  gloomy  ;  serious,  without  being  melancholy ; 
and  who,  on  the  other  hand,  shall  be  cheerful  without 
being  frivolous,  and  who  by  their  chastened  mirthfulness 
shall  be  among  the  laughers,  if  not  as  total  abstainers,  yet 
as  a  moderate  man  among  drunkards,  and  whose  temper- 
ance shall  check,  or  at  any  rate  reprove  the  excesses  of 
their  companions.  And  then  what  a  demand  does  this 
state  of  things  prefer  for  the  most  intense  earnestness  in 
our  Sabbath-day  exercises,  both  as  to  prayers  and  to  ser- 
mons.    In  this  mod>!rn  taste  we  have  a  new  obstacle  to 


193  MOTIVES   TO 

our  usefulness,  of  a  most  formidable  kind,  and  which  can 
be  subdued  only  by  God's  blessing  upon  our  fidelity  and 
zeal.  Such  men  are  wanted,  as  shall  by  their  learning, 
science,  and  general  knowledge,  give  weight  to  their  opin- 
ions and  influence  to  their  advice,  in  their  private  intercourse 
with  their  flocks,  and  as  shall,  by  their  powerful  and  evan- 
^gelical  preaching,  control  this  taste,  and  supplant  it  by  a 
better. 

Nor  must  we  omit  to  notice,  and  to  notice  with  peculiar 
emphasis,  the  impetus  that  is  now  given  to  the  human 
understandino-  throuoh  all  its  gradations,  from  the  hio-hest 
order  of  intellect  down  to  the  humblest  classes  of  the 
laboring  population.  We  have  already  alluded  to  this 
subject,  but  on  account  of  its  importance  must  here  refer 
to  it  again,  and  a  little  more  at  length.  As  regards  the 
laboring  classes,  education  is  advancing  among  them  with 
rapid  strides,  as  far  at  least  as  the  counteracting  tendency 
of  the  manufacturing  system  will  allow.  The  poor  must 
and  will  be  instructed.  The  change  of  opinion  on  this 
subject  that  has  come  over  a  large  portion  of  the  commu- 
nity within  the  last  quarter  of  a  century,  is  indeed  mar- 
vellous ;  and  instead  of  loud  descants  upon  the  dangers  of 
an  educated  people,  we  now  hear  little  else  but  as  loud 
descants  on  the  evils  of  ignorance.  This  is  a  happy  con- 
version, and  its  results  will  be  auspicious  ;  not,  however, 
without  some  temporary  admixture  of  evil.  It  is  really 
refreshing  to  read  the  programmes  of  educationary  schemes 
which  are  drawn  up  for  the  culture  of  the  working  classes, 
by  those  who  are  promoting  their  mental  improvement. 
But  improvement  in  education  is  not  confined,  and  cannot 
be  confined,  to  the  lower  classes,  but  must  be  carried  for- 
ward in  equal  proportion  among  those  that  are  above  them. 
The  universal  mind  is  awakened,  and  in  motion  onwards : 


EARNESTNESS.  199 

it  is  in  a  state  of  intense  excitement  and  in  epressible  ac- 
tivity. Discoveries  in  science  and  inventions  in  art  come 
so  fast  upon  us,  that  we  have  scarcely  recovered  from  the 
surprise  produced  by  one,  before  another  calls  upon  us  to 
indulge  in  new  wonder.  Feats  of  science  and  art,  especially 
in  the  department  of  engineering,  are  performed  or  pro- 
jected which  look  as  if  man  in  the  pride  of  his  intellect  felt 
that  nothing  was  impossible  to  him.  As  might  be  expected, 
all  the  knowledge  thus  obtained  and  accumulated  is  flow- 
ing by  the  thousand  rills  of  the  press  and  cheap  books, 
through  eveiy  department  of  society.  The  annual  expend- 
iture of  millions  of  pounds  in  cheap  hterature  will  show 
to  what  extent  information  on  all  subjects  is  reaching  the 
working  and  other  classes.  Knowledge  is  the  great  idol 
around  which  the  multitudes  are  gathering  to  pay  their 
homage  and  record  their  vows.  Is  there  anything  in  such 
a  state  of  things  at  Avhich  the  friends  of  religion  should 
take  alarm  ?  Quite  the  contrary.  Christianity  began  her 
career,  as  every  tyro  in  history  well  knows,  in  the  most 
enlightened  age,  and  amongst  the  most  polished  nations  of 
antiquity ;  and  from  that  moment  to  the  present,  has  never 
shrunk  from  the  broadest  daylight  of  learning  and  science, 
to  skulk  in  the  darkness  and  gloom  of  barbaric  ignorance ; 
and  its  ministers  should  ever  be  foremost  as  the  patrons  of 
knowledge  :  but  then  it  is  evident  that  such  a  state  of 
things  requires  an  indomitable  earnestness  in  the  sacred 
duties  of  their  calling  to  secure  for  religion  its  due  pre- 
eminence amidst  all  the  various  claimants  upon  the  public 
.attention.  Giving  to  general  knowledge  all  the  importance 
that  is  claimed  for  it,  this,  apart  from  religion,  is  not  the 
sovereign  remedy,  the  grand  catholicon,  which  is  to  heal 
the  disorders  and  restore  the  moral  health  of  diseased 
liumanity.     There  are  some,  and,  indeed,  not  a  few  in  our 


200  MOTIVES    TO 

own  country,  as  well  as  upon  the  continent  of  Europe,  who 
dream,  and  all  history  proves  it  to  be  but  a  dream,  of  re- 
generating the  world  by  the  principles  of  reason  and  the 
aid  of  secular  education.  They  think  they  can  regulate 
society  without  religion,  and  renew  the  heart  of  man  with- 
out God.  We  might  ask  them  what  philosophy  did  for 
such  purposes  in  Egypt,  its  cradle,  or  in  Greece,  its  tem- 
ple ?  They  forget  that  by  the  permission  of  Providence 
a  grand  experiment  was  made  in  the  latter  country,  during 
the  five  centuries  that  preceded  the  Christian  era,  by  the 
sages  of  the  schools,  to  see  what  knowledge,  apart  from 
Divine  revelation,  could  do  to  reform  the  moral  world,  and 
make  it  virtuous  and  happy.  We  venture  to  call  for  the 
result,  and  if  the  advocates  of  reason  refuse  to  give  it,  an 
apostle  shall  supply  the  answer, — "  The  world  hy  wisdom 
knew  not  GodT  It  would  seem  as  if,  not  satisfied  with  a 
single  demonstration,  these  men  were  hazardinsf  a  second 
trial.  Again  with  still  greater  advantages,  and  still  greater 
confidence,  they  are  flocking  to  the  ordeal.  Education  is 
to  be  improved  and  extended  ;  the  press  is  pouring  forth 
its  cheap  literature ;  science  is  broken  down  to  such  frag- 
ments and  measured  out  in  such  drops,  as  even  infant 
minds  can  receive  and  digest;  and  every  appliance  is  to  be 
furnished  to  give  effect  to  the  knowledge  thus  communi- 
cated ;  lecturers  on  all  subjects  are  travelling  through  the 
country,  and  are  pouring  forth  streams  of  information  in 
every  direction ;  while  rational  and  invigorating  amusements 
are  to  come  in  to  aid  the  general  improvement.  By  the 
advocates  of  the  sufficiency  of  knowledge  alone  to  improve 
the  taste  and  raise  the  morals  of  the  nation,  the  largest 
expectations  are  indulged  of  the  regeneration  of  society, 
as  the  result  of  all  these  laborious  efforts;  but  which, 
without  a  prophet's  eye,  we  may  predict,  are  doomed  to 


EARNESTNESS.  201 

certain  and  bitter  disappointment;  and  may  confidently 
anticipate  that  the  result  of  the  second  experiment  will  b« 
the  same  as  tire  first,  and  prove  not  only  that  the  world 
by  wisdom  will  never  know  God,  but  that  nothing  less 
than  the  foolishness  of  preaching  will  achieve  its  moral 
reformation. 

The  state  of  our  popular  hterature,.  as  moulded  to  a 
considerable  extent  by  these  men,  proves  that  such  an 
experiment  as  that  of  teaching  mankind  to  do  without 
religion  is  going  on.  In  much  of  what  is  read  by  the 
masses,  there  is  an  unconcealed  hostility  to  Christianity. 
Infidelity  of  the  boldest  and  most  daring  kind  is  associat- 
ing itself  with  a  great  many  of  the  cheap  publications  of 
the  day,  with  an  energy  and  a  success  that  would  astound 
as  well  as  alarm  those  who  are  not  in  the  secret.  But  still 
there  are  many  of  the  guides  of  tlie  popular  mind,  perhaps 
most  of  them,  who  would  not  patronize  this  open  assault 
upon  the  foundations  of  our  faith — they  go  a  more  insid- 
ious, though  scarcely  less  injurious  way  to  work  ;  they 
are  acting  upon  the  principle  that  the  best  way  to  attack 
religion,  and  the  least  likely  to  shock  prejudice  and  excite 
alarm,  is  to  say  nothing  about  it.  to  treat  the  whole  subject 
as  a  negative,  a  nonentity,  a  thing  to  be  forgotten ;  with 
which  it  is  no  part  of  their  business  to  concern  themselves, 
and  which  may  be  left  to  float  quietly  down  the  stream  to 
the  gulf  of  oblivion.  All  that  is  thought  necessary  to 
provide  for  the  million  in  the  way  of  reading,  is  amusement 
and  general  knowledge :  and,  to  a  very  great  extent,  the 
object  of  all  this  is  accomplished.  The  laboring  classes, 
with  increasing  knowledge,  are  more  and  more  alienated 
from  religion.  The  masses  are  not  yet  won  to  Christianity, 
but  are  sullenly  standing  aloof  from  it. 

In  such  a  state  of  things,  what  kinc^   of  ministry  is  it 


202  MOTIVES    TO 

that  is  wanted  ?  The  answer  is  easy — men  of  earnestness  ; 
of  earnest  mtellects,  earnest  hearts,  and  earnest  preaching ; 
men  whose  understanding  shall  command '  respect,  whose 
manner  shall  conciliate  affection,  and  wliose  ministrations 
shall  attract  by  their  beauty,  and  command  by  their  power. 
The  accessibility  of  the  laboring  classes  gives  us  an  advan- 
tage in  approaching  them.  Neither  prejudice  nor  fashion 
bars  us  out  from  them.  We  have  neither  to  scale  the  walls 
of  bigotry,  nor  to  silence  or  evade  tlie  dogs  of  angry  intol- 
erance :  the  door  is  open,  and  we  may  walk  in.  But  we 
must  be  men  of  the  age,  men  who  understand  i,',  who  are, 
to  sav  the  least,  up  with  it,  and  know  how  to  avail  ourselves 
of  its  advantages,  and  to  surmount  its  difficulties.  But  I 
cannot  do  better  here  than  refer  to  an  admirable  article  in 
the  Eclectic  Review,  on  the  Modern  Pulpit,  from  which  the 
following  extract  is  given  : — 

"  What  is  good  preaching  ?  Alas,  how  many  answers  would 
be  given  to  this  question  !  And  yet  is  not  the  true  answer — the 
preaching  by  which  souls  are  saved  ?  Then,  the  best  preaching 
must  be  that  by  which  the  greatest  number  of  souls  are  saved.  In 
order  to  that  end,  however,  men  must  be  brought  within  the 
sphere  of  the  pulpit ;  and  to  bring  the  greatest  number  of  men 
within  that  sphere  is  the  design  of  Dr.  Vaughan  in  his  treatise, 
(on  the  IModern  Pulpit,)  and  it  is  ours.  In  one  word,  what  we 
specifically  want  In  the  modern  pulpit  is — adaptation.  Now  we 
have  read  a  good  deal  in  our  time,  not  more  than  enough,  of  the 
necessity  of  adapting  the  efforts  of  the  pulpit  to  the  constitution 
of  the  huuian  mind,  to  man's  moral  nature,  to  his  actual  condition 
as  fallen,  guilty,  wretched,  and  exposed  to  future  punishment. 
And  not  seldom  have  we  read  most  seasonable  injunctions,  ad- 
dressed to  our  young  ministers,  on  the  personal  adaptation  of 
their  discourses  to  the  condition  of  individual  men.  All  this  we 
regard  as  of  equal  importance  at  all  times,  and  in  all  conceivable 
circumstances.     But,  at  present,  our  aim  is  to  excite  as  much 


EARNaSTNESS.  203 

attention  as  we  can  to  the  truth  that  along  wit'i  tliese  general 
and  fixed  adaptations,  there  is  required  a  constantly  varying 
adaptation  to  the  constantly  progressive  changes  of  society." 

The  writer  then  goes  on  to  explain  what  he  means  by 
this  varying  adaptation  of  the  pulpit  to  the  advancement 
in  society,  in  reference  to  one  portion  of  it — the  working 
classes : — 

"  Education  is  raising  these  great  masses  of  the  community 
into  higher  degrees  of  int  ■'Uectual  culture.  New  powers  are  at 
work.  Incredible  facilities  are  multiplied  for  diffusing  knowledge, 
spreading  opinions,  and  increasing  the  number  of  thinkers.  Now 
in  such  an  age,  to  say  nothing  of  other  views  of  society,  it  is  ob- 
viously the  duty  of  evangelical  preachers  to  adapt  themselves  to 
the  circumstances  in  which  they  are  placed ;  not,  as  this  talented 
writer  would  be  among  the  last  to  suggest,  by  withdrawing  from 
the  pulpit  the  great  themes  of  the  mediatory  system,  and  substi- 
tuting for  them  philosophic  truth,  or  a  rationalized  gospel,  but  by 
such  a  general  line  of  conduct  with  reference  to  the  circum- 
stances of  a  growingly  enlightened  age,  and  such  a  strain  of 
preaching  as  shall  lay  hold  of  the  public  mind,  and  bring  it  under 
that  doctrine  which,  and  which  only,  is  the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation.  Let  there  be  a  just  estimate  formed,  and  which  to  be 
just  cannot  be  a  low  one,  of  the  mental  powers  of  the  common 
people  ;  a  judicious  and  hearty  sympathy  with  their  real  wants 
and  reasonable  wishes  ;  a  studious  consideration  of  the  means  by 
which  the  multitude  shall  be  brought  back  to  the  sanctuaries  of 
religion,  which  they  have  to  a  considerable  extent  deserted ;  an 
assiduous  endeavor  to  connect  the  functions  of  the  pastor  with 
the  literary  cultivation  of  the  people.  For  these  purposes  let 
there  be  correct  information  of  their  state  of  intellect,  their  pre- 
vailing habits,  their  peculiar  temptations,  their  literary  tendencies 
and  aspirations  as  to  the  books  they  read — let  there  be  all  this,  but 
then  let  it  be  only  as  so  much  power  put  forth  to  bring  these 
masses  under  the  influence  of  the  gospel.  Oh,  it  were  a  noble 
triumph  of  the  modern  pulpit  to  see  men  of  strong  princi])le,  and 


204  MOTIVES    TO 

self-controlling  wisdom,  gathering  round  them  the  most  boisterous 
elements  of  our  social  atmosphere,  conducting  the  lightnings  with 
whic'-i  its  darkest  thunder-clouds  are  charged,  and  showing  to  the 
nation  they  have  saved,  that  the  preaching  of  the  cross  is  still  the 
'  power  of  God.'  " 

Of  course,  such  an  enterprise  of  home-evangelization  will 
require  that  our  ministers  shall  be  men  of  action.'''  Adap- 
tation, then,  there  may  be,  and  should  be,  in  the  sermons 
and  the  general  habits  of  the  ministry,  to  the  age  in  which 
they  live,  in  the  way  of  laying  hold  of  public  attention, 
widening  the  sphere  of  their  action,  and  adding  to  their 
influence  as  preachers  of  the  cross  Stronger  intclhgence, 
profounder  thinking,  more  logical  argumentation,  more 
varied  illustration,  more  chastened  composition,  more  re- 
fined sentiment,  more  genuine,  yet  Christian,  and  unobtru- 
sive philosophy,  may  be  required  in  one  age  than  another, 
and  in  this  than  in  some  preceding  ages  ;  but  then  all  this 
must  be  in  harmony  with  the  simplicity  that  is  in  Christ, 
and  only  so  much  added  to  the  height  or  the  ornaments  of 

*  Ciinnected  with  my  own  congregation  is  an  Institution,  partly 
religious  and  partly  literary,  for  the  benefit  of  the  young  men  and 
elder  boys  of  all  classes,  but  chiefly  of  the  working  classes,  which  hat 
existed  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century,  which  has  a  library  of 
nearly  1200  volumes,  and  to  the  members  of  which  lectures  on  mis 
cellaneous  subjects  are  periodically  delivered.  As  a  proof  of  the  ad 
vantages  it  has  conferred,  as  well  as  of  the  taste  of  the  age,  two  oi 
our  members,  both  of  them  formerly  in  our  Sunday  school,  took  ai> 
excursion  last  summer,  through  France,  up  the  Mediterranean  to 
Athens,  from  thence  through  Southern  Greece,  back  to  Sicily.  Naples, 
Pompeii,  Rome,  and  Italy  ;  and  on  their  return  delivered  in  three  lec- 
tures an  account  of  their  travels,  that  would  bear  no  dist;int  compari- 
son with  some  other  accounts  that  have  been  given  to  the  public  from 
the  press.  They  were  able  to  appreciate,  and  did  appreciate  with  en- 
thusiasm, the  remains  of  antiquity  in  Greece  and  Rome,  as  well  as  the 
exhibitions  of  modern  times. 


EARNESTNESS.  205 

the  pedestal  which  is  to  exalt  the  Saviour,  and  attract  a  per- 
ishing world  to  the  fountain  of  life. 

Having  referred  to  the  state  of  public  opinion  and  feeling 
with  reference  to  religion  among  the  lower  classes,  it  may 
not  be  amiss  to  glance  at  the  higher  and  more  educated 
portions  of  the  community.  Many  of  these  are  moving  on 
two  lines,  or  in  a  stream  that  divides  into  two  channels,  and 
flows  in  two  opposite  directions — the  devout  going  off  to 
Puseyism,  and  a  large  part  of  the  rest  to  a  philosophical 
infidelity.  A  loose,  unsystematized  theism  is  adopted  by 
many  of  our  men  of  letters,  in  some  cases  a  new  edition  of 
the  opinion  of  our  English  deists  of  the  last  century,  and 
in  others,  and  a  still  more  numerous  class,  bearing  a  strong 
affinity  to  the  pantheistic  or  mystic  spirit  of  the  German 
philosophy.  Of  the  disposition  of  modem  science,  in  the 
persons  of  some  of  its  more  illustrious  votaries,  to  retire 
from  revealed  religion  as  if  ashamed  to  be  seen  in  its  com- 
pany, we  have  an  affecting  instance  in  the  great  octogena- 
rian naturahst  of  Prussia.  It  is  indeed  a  melancholy  spec- 
tacle, to  witness  such  a  man  as  Humboldt — whose  eye  has 
seen  so  much  of  the  visible  universe,  and  whose  pen  has 
recorded  so  ably  the  researches  of  his  vast  genius ;  whose 
intellect  seemed  formed  by  the  Creator,  not  only  to  study 
his  works,  but  to  proclaim  his  glories — send  forth  such  a 
work  as  "Kosmos,"  and  in  that  work  declare  it  was  no  part 
of  his  business  to  trace  the  wonders  he  describes  to  their 
still  more  wondrous  Author  !  How  deeply  painful  to  see 
this  high  priest  of  nature  officiating  with  such  zeal  and  de- 
votion at  the  shrine  of  matter,  and  yet  never  throwing  one 
grain  of  incense  on  the  altar  of  the  Infinite  Mind  which 
made  the  worlds.  Yet  this  is  only  a  specimen  of  other 
similar  cases.  Alas,  alas !  that  such  a  mind  should  be  so 
warped   by  the   modes  of  thinking   prevalent   among  his 


206  MOTIVES   TO 

countrymen,  and  should  have  sent  forth  perhaps  his  last 
gift  to  the  lovers  of  science,  in  which  the  Hegelian  panthe- 
ism is  too  obviously  interwoven. 

With  such  a  view  of  the  state  and  tendency  of  the  edu- 
cated mind  in  this  age,  we  see  an  additional  argument  for 
an  earnest,  and  at  the  same  time  intelligent  and  educated 
ministry.  We  shall  want  men,  and  we  are  not  without 
them  already,  who  can  enter  the  lists  and  do  battle  with 
the  seductive  and  dangerous  forms  of  eri-or,  that  have 
done  such  mischief  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  and  are 
likely,  without  great  \igilance  and  stout  resistance,  to  re- 
peat the  mischief  here  also.  The  spirit  of  mental  philoso- 
phy which  was  called  up  by  Locke,  and  has  since  been 
sustained  in  different  schools  by  Reid  and  Kant,  and 
those  who  have  descended  from  them,  is  at  the  present 
moment  widely  diffusing  itself  through  the  English  and 
American  mind.  Education  will  no  longer  be  confined  to 
literature  and  natural  science.  A  disposition  and  deter- 
mination are  formed  to  explore  the  world  of  mind,  as  well 
as  that  of  matter,  and  to  give  to  subjective  studies  a  place, 
and  that  a  very  high  one,  among  the  objective  ones.  Psy- 
chology is  now,  and  will  be  still  more  so,  the  favorite  pur- 
suit of  great  multitudes  of  reflective  intellects.  The  mind 
of  Germany  is  operating  with  power  and  success  upon  the 
mind  of  England,  to  an  extent  which  is  surprising,  and,  in 
some  views  of  the  case,  alarming.  It  is,  one  should  think, 
impossible  to  trace  the  progress  of  Transcendentalism  from 
the  time  of  Kant  to  that  of  Hegel,  and  to  see  how,  as  it 
diverged  more  and  more  widely  from  the  metaphysics  of 
our  land,  it  has  associated  itself  with  Rationalism  in  the- 
ology, and  led  on  to  Pantheism  in  philosophy,  without 
some  apprehension  for  the  result  of  its  introduction  to  this 
country.     Perhaps  the  practical  character  of  the  English 


EARNESTNESS.  207 

understanding  will  be  one  of  our  safeguards  against  a  sys- 
tem whicli  to  the  great  multitude  must  ever  remain  a  mere 
scientific  speculation.  It  may,  however,  be  feared  that 
some  of  our  yo'ing  ministers,  and  our  students  in  theology, 
especially  those  of  speculative  habits,  captivated  by  the 
daring  boldness,  the  intellectual  vigor,  and  the  theoretic 
attractions  of  the  great  German  philosophers,  may  too  ad- 
venturously launch  forth  on  this  dangerous  ocean,  and  make 
shipwreck  of  their  doctrinal  simplicity  and  practical  use- 
fulness. Let  them  be  assured  that  neither  the  transcen- 
dentalism of  Kant,  nor  the  eclecticism  of  Cousin,  are  safe 
guides  for  men  who  would  be  useful  in  saving  souls.  The 
warning  voice  has  already  been  lifted  up  in  high  places  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  where  German  philosophy 
was  likely  at  one  time  to  be  received  with  avidity,  and 
there  will  not  be  wanting  voices  to  utter  words  of  warning 
in  this  country  also.  It  would  not  only  be  useless,  but 
unwise  to  set  out  this,  or  any  other  system  of  philosophy, 
,  as  the  tree  of  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  which  we  are 
forbidden  by  the  command  of  God,  and  the  flaming  sword 
of  the  cherubim,  to  approach :  this,  as  well  as  every  other 
object  of  human  inquiry,  may  be  studied,  and  by  a  cau- 
tious and  discriminating  mind,  may  of  course  be  studied 
with  advantage.  We  would  by  no  means  contend  that 
there  is  nothing  in  the  industry  of  German  investigation, 
T.a  its  method  of  analysis,  in  its  subjective  taste,  or  even  in 
the  systems  whicli  are  the  fruits  of  its  researches,  which 
may  not  be  borrowed  with  advantage  by  ourselves  :  but 
against  that  willing  and  entire  surrender  of  their  intellects 
to  a  school,  the  masters  of  which  have  advanced  from  one 
degree  of  error  to  another,  till  they  have  left  us  no  gospel 
but  a  fable,  and  no  God  but  nature,  which  some  are  begin- 


208  MOTrvp:s  to 

ning  to  manifest  in  tliis  land,  we  must  raise  an   emphatic 
and  protesting  vciice. 

A  work  has  hitely  made  its  appearance,  likely  to  be  ex- 
tensively circulated  among  those  who  have  any  taste  for 
philosophical  studies,  or  any  wish  to  become  acquainted 
with  German  literature ;  a  work  which  cannot  fail  to  com- 
mand attention,  and  will  certainly  secure  for  its  accom- 
plished author  the  admiration  and  respect  of  his  numerous 
readers — I  mean  the  "  History  of  Modern  Philosophy," 
by  the  Rev.  J.  D.  Morell.  It  is  impossible  to  deny  to 
this  gentleman  the  fidelity  of  the  historian,  the  impartiality 
and  the  candor  of  the  true  philosopher,  and  at  the  same 
time  the  excellence  of  a  very  able  writer.  It  is  on  some 
accounts  a  happy  circumstance  that  such  a  subject  has 
fallen  into  such  hands,  since  Mr.  Morell's  attachment  to 
evangelical  truth,  united  with  his  intimate  acquaintance 
with  continental  literature,  will  qualify  him,  we  trust,  to  be 
a  safe  pilot  for  the  English  mind  through  the  perilous  seas 
he  has  undertaken  to  navigate.  It  may  be  hoped  that  his 
own  attachment  to  the  subjective  system  of  philosophy 
will  not  lead  his  ardent  readers  and  admirers  to  go  further 
in  that  direction  than  his  own  discriminating  and  well-bal- 
anced mind  would  wish  or  approve  ;  and  we  are  quite  sure 
that  he  would  join  with  many  who  are  perhaps  more  appre- 
hensive than  he  is  of  the  influence  of  German  philosophy, 
in  the  opinion  that  no  surer  way  could  our  young  ministers 
take  to  hinder  their  usefulness  than  to  allow  such  studies  to 
obscure  the  simphcity  of  their  matter,  or  to  deaden  the 
energy  of  their  manner,  as  preachers  of  the  gospel,  and  that 
he  would  also  most  emphatically  say,  *'  Beware,  lest  any 
man  spoil  you  (as  preachers)  through  philosophy  and  vain 
deceit." 


EARNESTNESS.  209 

From  a  very  nble  and  complimentary  critique  on  Mr. 
Morell's  Avork,  contained  in  the  twelfth  number  of  the 
"  North  British  Review,"  obviously  by  Dr.  Chalmers,  the 
following  appropriate  passage  may  with  advantage  be  in- 
troduced here  :  speaking  of  Carlyle,  the  reviewer  says  : — 

"  They  are  not  creeds,  but  mon,  who  are  the  objects  of  his 
idolatry,  which,  under  the  name  of  hero-worship,  he  renders  alike 
to  those  of  most  opposite  opinions — as  to  Luther,  and  Knox,  and 
Cromwell,  on  the  one  hand,  so  with  equal  veneration  to  the  lofty 
poets  and  transccndentalists  of  Germany,  upon  the  other.  He  is 
a  lover  of  earnestness,  more  than  a  lover  of  truth  :  and  it  would 
not  be  our  counteractive  at  least,  to  urge  that  he  should  be  a 
lover  of  truth,  more  than  a  lover  of  earnestness.  We  should 
rather  say  that  both  are  best,  and  would  our  island  only  not  be 
frightened  from  its  propriety  by  the  high-sounding  philosophy  of 
the  continent — neither  overborne  by  its  pretensions,  nor  overawed 
by  its  cabalistic  nomenclature — would  our  savans  and  theologians 
but  keep  unmoved  on  the  ground  of  common  sense,  and  by  their 
paramount  demand  for  evidence  at  every  step,  lay  resolute  arrest 
on  the  pruriencies  of  wanton  speculation — then,  while  they  re- 
jected all  that  was  unsubstantial  and  unsound  in  the  dogmata 
of  the  transcendental  school,  it  were  well  that  they  imported  the 
earnest  and  lofty  enthusiasm  of  its  disciples  into  the  phlegmatic 
universities,  and  no  less  phlegmatic  churches,  of  our  land.  We 
do  not  need  to  take  down  the  framework  of  our  existing  ortho- 
doxy, whether  in  theology  or  in  science.  All  that  we  require  is 
that  it  shall  become  an  animated  framework,  by  the  breath  of  a 
new  life  being  infused  into  it.  Ours  has  been  most  truly  de- 
nounced as  an  age  of  formalism ;  but  to  mend  this,  we  do  not 
need  to  exchange  our  formulas,  only  to  quicken  them  ;  nor  to 
quit  the  ground  of  our  common  sense  for  baseless  speculations  ; 
nor  to  substitute  the  Divine  Idea  of  Fichte  for  a  personal  and 
living  God ;  nor  to  adopt  for  our  Saviour  a  mere  embodied  and 
allegorized  perfection,  and  give  up  the  actual  and  historical 
Jesus  Christ  of  the  New  T2stament ;  nor,  finally,  to  go  in  quest 

18* 


210  MOTIVES    TO 

of  a  chimerical  on .:  ogy  in  upper  regions  far  out  of  mortal  ken, 
and  for  visions  of  merest  fancy  there,  to  renounce  cither  the  cer- 
tainties of  our  own  palpable  and  peopled  world,  or  the  truths 
which  He  who  dwelleth  in  the  heavens  brought  down  from 
heaven,  because  no  man  can  ascend  into  heaven,  or  tell  the  mys- 
teries and  glories  of  a  place  which  he  never  entered.  What  we 
want  is,  that  the  very  system  of  doctrine  which  we  now  have, 
shall  come  to  us  not  in  word  only,  but  in  power.  As  things  stand 
at  present,  our  creeds  and  confessions  have  become  effete,  and 
the  Bible  a  dead  letter ;  and  that  orthodoxy  which  was  at  one 
time  the  glory,  by  withering  into  the  inert  and  lifeless,  is  now 
the  shame  and  the  reproach  of  all  our  churches.  If  there  have 
been  the  revival  of  a  more  spiritual  philosophy  in  France,  or  else- 
where, it  might  well  humble  us ;  but  this  is  not  exactly  the  quar- 
ter from  which  we  should  expect  our  revival  to  come.  Prayer 
could  bring  it  down  from  above ;  and  it  is  only  thus,  that  all 
which  is  good  in  Puritanism — its  earnestness  without  its  extrava- 
gance ;  its  faith,  without  its  contempt  for  philosophy ;  its  high 
and  heavenly-mindedness,  without  the  baser  admixture  of  its 
worldly  politics  and  passions — it  is  only  thus  the  Augustan  age 
of  Christianity  in  England,  an  age  which  Mr.  Carlyle  has 
done  so  much  to  vindicate  and  bring  to  light,  will  again  come 
back,  to  reform  our  State  and  bless  our  families." 

From  this  article  it  is  perfectly  evident  that  if  England 
should  have  a  tendency  to  go  wrong,  Scotland  will  do 
something  to  put  us  right,  and  that  the  followers,  but  im- 
proved ones,  of  Reid,  will  do  much  to  keep  the  descend- 
ants of  Kant  in  check,  and  hold  the  balance  eveH 
between  the  Scotch  and  German  philosophies.  Surely 
nothing  more  need  be  said  to  show  and  prove  what  kind 
of  men  we  want  for  such  an  age,  and  to  indicate  that  for 
times  of  such  excitement  we  must  have  men  of  strong 
intelligence,  simple  faith,  and  entire  devotedness.  It  is,  in 
every  view  we  can  take  of  it,  an  earnest  age,  and  earnest 
men  alone  can  at  such  a  time  do  anything  anywhere,  and 


EARNESTNESS.  211 

least  of  all  in  the  pulpit.  Events,  with  trumpet-call,  sum- 
mon us  to  our  post,  with  every  faculty  awake,  and  every 
energy  engaged.  Amidst  the  din  of  business,  of  politics, 
of  science,  and  of  fashion  ;  amidst  the  jests  of  laughers,  the 
eloquence  of  orators,  and  the  clamor  of  parties,  the  voice 
of  the  preacher  will  not  be  heard,  unless  he  speak  loudly, 
nor  listened  to  unless  he  speak  earnestly  :  we  shall  gain  no 
heed  for  our  holy  rehgion,  unless  we  put  forth  all  our 
strength ;  it  will  be  pushed  aside,  overborne,  trampled 
down  in  the  jostling  crowd,  if  we  do  not  put  forth  our 
mightiest  energies  to  bear  it  up,  and  to  make  way  for 
it  through  the  strife  and  the  theory  of  abounding  secu- 
larities. 

Let  us  not  deceive  ourselves  by  substituting  anything 
else  for  this.  It  may  be  all  very  well  and  proper  in  its 
place  to  keep  pace  with  the  times  in  which  we  Hve,  as  re- 
gards other  matters  ;  in  classical,  mathematical,  and  philo- 
sophical literature,  in  academic  degrees,  in  tasteful  architec- 
ture ;  but  these  things,  in  the  absence  of  a  living  power  of 
intense  devotedness,  will  be  but  as  the  flowers  which  shed 
their  fragrance  upon  our  grave,  or  as  the  sculpture  which 
decorates  our  tomb. 

IV.  We  may  next  contemplate  the  earnestness  displayed 
hy  some  other  bodies,  with  which,  it  may  he  truly  said,  we 
have  to  contend. 

And  first  of  all,  let  us  look  at  the  activity  of  the  Church 
of  Rome.  What  a  change  has  of  late  years  come  over 
that  wonderful  and  dreadful  system,  so  far  as  its  external 
circumstances  are  concerned.  Many  are  disposed  to  think 
lightly  of  its  present  condition,  efforts,  prospects,  and 
hopes ;  and  it  will  be  acknowledged  it  is  unwise  and  im- 
politic for  Protestants  to  lend  their  aid  in  magnifying  the 
power,  and  swelling  the  pride  and  expectations  of  the  Maa 


212  MOTIVES    TO 

of  Sin.  But  then  it  is  no  less  unwise  and  impolitic,  on  the 
other  hand,  to  miscalculate  his  forces,  to  shut  our  eyes  on 
his  efforts,  and  to  deny  his  victories.  What  we  need  is 
just  so  much  of  alarm  as  shall  rouse  us  to  action,  without 
producing  panic ;  enough  of  fear  to  lead  us  to  buckle  on 
our  armor,  and  yet  not  so  much  as  to  paralyze  our  ener- 
gy. Look  at  the  present  condition  and  prospects  of  Popery, 
as  compared  with  what  they  were  soon  after  the  French 
Revolution.  Weakened  by  the  withering  scorn  of  an  infi- 
del philosophy,  to  which  its  own  corruption  had  given  rise, 
it  was  ill-prepared  to  sustain  the  shock  of  that  awful  out- 
break of  human  passion,  and  it  fell  an  apparently  lifeless 
corpse  before  it.  The  Gallican  Church  was  subverted,  its 
priests  were  banished,  its  property  confiscated,  its  places 
of  worship  closed.  A  French  army  was  in  possession  of 
Rome,  and  the  Pope  was  a  prisoner  in  France,  while  his 
adherents  were  trembling  and  dispersed  in  all  parts  of  the 
world.  The  opponents  of  Romanism  exulted  in  the  con- 
fidence that  its  days  were  numbered  and  its  end  was  come. 
They  exulted  too  soon.  That  lifeless  corpse  which  lay 
prostrate  in  Europe,  has  since  then  shown  signs  of  return- 
ing animation — its  wounds  have  been  healed — it  has  risen 
from  the  earth — and,  recovering  its  full  health,  is  going 
forth  at  this  time  with  giant  strength  to  contend  with  Prot- 
estantism for  the  mastery  of  the  world.  Popery  has  gained 
political  power  in  England.  It  is  renewing  its  old  fight  in 
France  for  the  education  of  the  people — its  chapels,  its 
priests,  its  bishops,  its  monks,  its  missions,  are  everywhere 
multiplying — its  ancient  craft  and  cruelty  are  again  called 
into  activity,  as  Tahiti  can  witness — it  is  drawing  hundreds, 
I  fear,  if  we  include  both  clergy  and  laity,  of  influential 
persons  from  the  Church  of  England,  and  tainting  with  its 
spirit  hundreds  more  who  remain  behind  to  diffuse  the 


EARNESTNESS.  213 

coriTiption  still  more  widely — it  has  done  much  to  blot 
from  the  memory  of  statesmen  its  past  histoiy,  and  to  hide 
from  their  eyes  its  hideous  form — and  with  an  ardor  kind- 
ling to  an  intense  flame,  and  a  hope  flushed  into  a  stronger 
confidence  by  these  victories,  it  is  still  going  on  from  con- 
quering to  conquer.  There  are,  it  is  true,  for  Rome  fear- 
ful and  appalling  portents  to  be  set  off  against  these  bright 
signs :  there  is  the  confiscation  of  ecclesiastical  property 
and  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  in  Spain — the  rapid 
defection  going  on  in  Germany,  under  Ronge  and  Czerski 
— the  conversion  of  whole  congregations  and  parishes  in 
the  south  of  France  to  Protestantism — the  rising  spirit  ol 
free  inquiry  even  in  Italy — with  the  growth  of  knowledge 
and  the  advance  of  education  everywhere.  From  all  this 
it  is  evident  that  the  great  battle  of  the  Reformation  is  to 
be  fought  over  again,  and  we  are  in  the  field  of  action, 
where  the  forces  are  mustered  and  the  conflict  is  going  on; 
and  we  are  unworthy  of  our  position  and  our  occupation 
if  we  do  not  give  our  energies,  the  best  and  the  noblest,  to 
the  cause.  Let  us  take  pattern  from  our  foes,  and  imi- 
tate their  intensity  of  action.  They  are  in  earnest  if  we 
are  not.  Were  it  possible  for  us  to  see  a  perfect  disclosure, 
in  one  bird's-eye  view,  of  all  that  is  going  on  in  the  Vati- 
can, that  most  astounding  instance  of  centralization  out  of 
the  bottomless  pit ;  could  we  see  the  gigantic  intellects 
that  are  planning,  and  the  burning  hearts  that  are  feeding 
the  fire  of  their  zeal,  and  the  busy  hands  that  are  working 
in  that  focus  of  all  that  is  daring  in  design  and  mischievous 
in  eff'ect  to  the  world's  intellectual  and  spiritual  welfare,  we 
should  feel  that  we  are  safe  from  the  tyranny  of  that  auda- 
cious system,  only  imder  the  vigilance  of  an  Omniscient 
eye,  and  the  protection  of  an  Omnipotent  arm.  But  that 
help  and   that  vigilance  a^ti  not  to  be  looked  for  by  the 


214  MOTIVES    TO 

supine  and  lukewarm,  and  can  be  expected  only  in  tlie  way 
of  zealous  activity  and  confiding  prayer.  To  whom  chiefly 
should  Piotestantism  look  for  the  instrumentality  necessary 
for  its  defence,  but  to  its  ministers  ?  Let  them,  in  answer 
to  the  call  which  events  are  makini^  upon  their  energies, 
prepare  themselves  by  study,  by  deep  devotion,  and  by 
intense  action,  to  grapple  Avith  this  ancient  foe  of  spiritual 
Christianity. 

But  this  is  not  the  only  instance  of  earnestness  offered 
to  us,  which  we  should  contemplate,  and  from  which  we 
should  deduce  a  stimulus  to  our  own  activity.  We  have 
far  more  to  fear  from  England  than  from  Italy  ;  from  Ox- 
ford than  from  Rome.  I  do  not  now  allude  merely  to  the 
Tractarian  party ;  we  have  little  to  fear  from  them,  com- 
pared with  the  other  section  of  the  Estabhshed  Church — 
the  evangelical  clergy.  The  Church  of  England  is  in  ear- 
nest. Many  of  us  can  recollect  the  time  when  it  Avas  not 
so.  A  pervading  secularity  characterized  her  clergy ;  a 
drow^sy  indifference  her  people  :  if  the  fonner  got  their 
tithes,  and  ate,  drank,  and  were  merry,  and  the  latter  got 
christening,  confirmation,  and  the  sacrament  when  they 
died,  it  was  all  they  cared  for.  The  only  thing  that  moved 
either  of  them  to  a  pang  of  zeal  was  the  coming  of  the 
Methodists  into  the  parish,  and  when  these  were  mobbed 
away,  they  relapsed  again  into  their  former  apathy.  Ex- 
ceptions there  were — bright  and  blessed  ones — but  they 
were  only  exceptions.  Thank  God,  it  is  not  so  now.  A 
vivifying  wind  has  swept  over  the  valley  of  dry  bones,  and 
an  army  not  only  of  liA^ng,  but  of  life-giving  men  has 
sprung  up.  Venn,  Berridge,  and  Romaine  ;  Newton, 
Cecil  and  Simeon  have  lived  and  awakened  a  new  spirit 
in  the  church  to  which  they  belonged.  Look  at  that 
church  as  she  is  now  to  be  seen,  full  of  energy  and  ear- 


EARNESTNESS.  215 

nestness  :  divided,  it  is  true,  into  parties  as  to  theological 
opinion,  to  a  considerable  extent  Romanized  in  her  spirit, 
and  ag-gressive  in  her  designs ;  but  instinct  with  life,  and  a 
great  deal  of  it  life  of  the  best  kind.  Even  the  orthodox 
and  the  Puseyite  clergy  are  all  now  active,  preaching,  cat- 
echising, visiting  the  sick,  instituting  and  superintending 
schools.  The  day  is  happily  gone  by  when  the  taunt  of 
fox-hunting,  play-going,  ball-frequenting  parsons  could  be 
with  justice  thrown  at  the  clergy  of  the  State  church : 
they  are  now  no  longer  to  be  found  in  those  scenes  of  folly 
and  vanity,  but  at  the  bed-side  of  the  sick  man,  or  in  the 
cottage  of  the  poor  one.  We  must  rejoice  in  their  labors 
and  in  their  success,  except  when  their  object  and  their 
aim  are  to  crush  Dissenters.  There  are  very  many  among 
them  of  the  true  apostolic  succession  in  doctrine,  spirit,  and 
devotedness  ;  many  whose  piety  and  zeal  we  should  do 
well  to  emulate  ;  many  with  whom  it  is  among  the  felicities 
of  my  life  to  be  united  in  the  bonds  of  private  friendship, 
and  public  co-operation.  Sincerely  and  cordially  attached 
to  their  church,  they  are  laboring,  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  to  promote  its  interests.  •  Who  can  blame  them  ? 
Instead  of  this,  let  us  imitate  them.  For  zeal  and  devoted- 
ness they  arc  worthy  of  it.  I  know  their  labors,  and  am 
astonished  at  them.  Think  of  a  clergyman,  and  multitudes 
of  such  there  are,  who,  beside  his  other  labors,  spends 
four  or  five  hours  every  day  in  going  from  house  to  house, 
visiting  the  sick,  instructing  the  ignorant,  comforting  the 
distressed.  Can  we  wonder  that  such  men  should  lay 
hold  on  the  public  mind  ?  Is  it  not  in  the  natural  course 
of  things  that  it  should  be  so  ?  It  is  admitted  that  the 
clergyman  of  a  parish  has  advantages  for  this  species  of 
ministerial  occupation  which  we  have  not ;  he  considers  all 
the  people  within  certain  topographica'  limits  as  belonging 


216  MOTIVES    TO 

to  him,  as  being,  in  fact,  his  cure  ;  while,  on  the  other  hand, 
most  if  not  all  of  these  persons,  except  such  as  by  profes- 
sion really  belong  to  other  denominations,  look  upon  him 
in  the  light  of  their  minister.  This  ever-active  assiduity, 
in  addition  to  the  Sabbath-day  exercises,  is  admonitory  to 
us.  Can  we  see  this  new  sight,  the  whole  Church  estab- 
hshment,  from  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  down  to  the 
curate  of  the  smallest  village,  witli  all  their  modern  and 
comprehensive  agency  of  Pastoral  Aid  Societies,  Ladies' 
District  Visiting  Societies,  Scripture  Readers,  Church  oi 
Enofland  Tract  Societies,  and  other  means  of  influence  and 
power,  in  busy  commotion,  dotting  the  land  all  over  with 
churches  and  schools,  and  thus,  by  all  these  efforts,  labor- 
ing to  occupy  so  entirely  the  nation  as  to  leave  no  room 
for,  and  to  prove  there  is  no  need  of,  any  other  body  oi 
Christians — can  we  see  all  this  constantly  before  our  eyes, 
and  not  see  the  need  of  an  earnest  ministry,  not  only  to 
maintain  our  ground,  but  to  advance  ?  Not  that  I  mean 
to  assert  that  the  evangelical  clergy  would  altogether  wish 
to  push  us  off  the  ground.  No,  I  believe  there  are  many 
who  unfeignedly  rejoice  in  the  existence,  operations,  and 
success,  both  of  the  Methodists  and  Dissenters,  and  who 
would  consider  it  a  deep  calamity  for  the  nation,  if  they 
were  arrested  in  their  career  of  evangelical  ministration  to- 
morrow. The  spirit  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance  is  diffus- 
ing itself  abroad.  Sectarianism  is,  we  hope,  beginning  to 
wither  at  the  root,  and  Christian  charity  is  grappling  with 
the  demon  of  bigotry.  But  still  we  arc  at  present  not 
prepared  for  the  fusion  and  amalgamation  of  all  parties 
into  one,  and  till  then  we  may  learn  from  each  other ;  and 
with  the  most  entire  good  will  towards  ray  brethren  in  the 
Church  of  England,  Avithout  envy  or  jealousy,  I  call  upon 
my  other  brethren  within  my  own  denomination  to  imitate 


EARNESTNESS.  21 Y 

the  zeal  of  which  they  are  the  witnesses  among  the  clergy 
of  the  Establishment.  I  am  a  Dissenter  from  conviction 
as  well  as  by  education,  and  know  not  the  lure  which  would 
induce  me,  or  the  suffering  which  would  terrify  me,  to 
abandon  my  principles.  I  believe,  as  I  ever  have  believed, 
since  I  reflected  upon  the  subject,  that  the  establishment 
of  religion  by  the  enactments  of  secular  legislation  has  no 
sanction  from  the  New  Testament,  is  a  corruption  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  injurious  to  its  spirit ;  and  I  believe  the  time 
will  come  when  the  same  vioAvs  will  be  entertained  by  all 
the  genuine  followeis  of  Christ :  hence  I  am,  and  ought 
to  be,  anxious,  while  I  cultivate  a  spirit  of  brotherly  love 
towards  those  who  differ  from  me,  to  uphold,  though  with- 
out wrath,  malice,  or  any  uncharitableness,  the  denomina- 
tion by  which  my  conscientious  opinions  are  embodied  and 
expressed.  Dissenters  of  England,  and  especially  Dissent- 
ing ministers,  I  say  therefore  unto  you,  be  in  earnest ;  first 
of  all  and  chief  of  all  in  attachment  to  the  doctrines  of 
Evangelism,  to  the  creed  of  Protestantism,  to  the  great 
principles  which  God  has  employed  in  every  age  and  coun- 
try where  true  religion  has  had  existence,  to  vitalize  a  dead, 
and  purify  a  corrupt  world.  Be  it  your  prayer,  your  en- 
deavor, your  hallowed  ambition,  to  possess  a  ministry  of 
competent  learning,  and  especially  of  soundly  evangelical 
sentiment  ;  a  ministry  which,  as  regards  their  matter  and 
manner,  shall  be  the  power  of  God  to  the  salvation  of 
souls  ;  a  ministry  which,  in  the  simphcity  of  their  discourses, 
and  the  intensity  of  their  zeal,  the  fervor  of  their  piety,  and 
the  all-comprehending  extent  of  their  labors,  shall  vie  with 
the  best  specimens  of  the  clergy  of  the  church  of  England 
There  is  earnestness  there,  and  if  we  would  not  be  swal-* 
lowed  up  in  the  rismg  tide  and  mcreasing  torrent  of  their 
zeal,  let  us  meet  it  with  a  corresponding   intensity.     Let 

19 


218  MOTIVES    TO 

eaclj.  minister,  in  his  wn  separate  and  individual  sphere  of 
action,  set  himself  to  work  and  put  forth  all  his  energies 
without  wailing  for  combination  with  others.  Not  that  I 
speak  against  combination.  We  have  far  too  little  of  it, 
and  this  is  our  weakness.  In  polity  we  are  too  independent, 
and  should  be  vastly  improved  as  regards  our  internal  con- 
dition and  our  external  influence,  if  we  were  more  compact. 
But  as  to  ministerial  earnestness  we  need  not  wait  for  oth- 
ers :  each  man  can  do  w4iat  he  wills,  and  may  do  much, 
though  no  other  man  do  any  thing.  Ministerial  activity, 
like  Christian  piety,  is  a  matter  of  individual  obligation, 
and  no  one  is  so  dependent  upon  his  neiglibors  as  that  he 
needs  to  halt  till  they  are  ready  to  march  with  him. 

Nor  is  it  necessary,  nor  proper,  advocate  though  I  be  for 
the  Evangelical  Alliance,  that  we  should  be  silent  as  to  our 
views  of  the  spiriluality  of  Christ's  kingdom.  As  we  are 
not  to  sacrifice  love  for  truth,  so  neither  are  we  to  sacrifice 
truth  for  love  nor  to  thiow  away  a  smaller  diamond  of 
truth  for  a  larger  one.  All  truth  must  be  held,  as  well  as 
all  love.  I  differ  from  some  of  our  brethren  in  ray  views 
of  certain  confederations  for  the  maintenance  and  spread  of 
our  Nonconformity,  because  1  believe  that  whatever  good 
they  may  do  in  one  way,  they  do  more  harm  in  another; 
but  I  do  not  differ  from  them  in  my  conviction  that  our 
principles,  as  a  '.lart  of  the  New  Testament,  ought  to  be 
taught,  and  to  be  taught  with  earnestness  too.  If  true, 
they  must  be  important,  and  if  important  at  all,  very  im- 
portant :  subordinate  I  know,  immeasm*ably  so,  to  the 
doctrines  whereby  men  are  saved  ;  but  still  of  consequence. 
Provided  the  gross  misrepresentation,  the  exaggerated 
•statement,  the  studied  caricature,  the  uncharitable  imputa- 
tion, the  withering  sarcasm,  the  bitter  irony,  and  the 
malevolent   ridicule   be   expunged   from   controversy,  and 


EARNESTNESS.  219 

there  be  as  much  of  the  delicacy  of  love,  as  there  is  of  the 
firmness  of  truth,  there  can  be  no  harm,  but  must  be  much 
good,  not  only  in  stating  our  own  opinions,  but  in  answer- 
ing tliose  who  differ  from  us.  All  systems  of  church  polity 
deri\e  their  value  and  importance  from  their  subserviency 
to  the  cause  of  EvangeHsm.  Church  of  Englandism  or 
Dissent,  apart  from  this,  is  but  as  the  pole  without  the 
healing  serpent  which  it  was  erected  to  exhibit ;  and  to  be 
zealous  about  either  except  as  viewed  in  reference  to  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  but  like  contending  about  the 
wood  of  the  cross,  to  the  neglect  of  the  Saviour  who  was 
crucified  upon  it. 

How,  then,  are  we  to  meet  that  abounding  zeal  which 
we  ourselves  perhaps  have  been  in  no  small  degree  the 
occasion  of  awakening,  but  by  a  corresponding  vigor  of 
action?  We  cannot  advance,  nay,  we  cannot  keep  our 
ground  without  it.  We  have  to  contend  against  an  energy 
which  is  astounding  and  all  but  overwhelming  ;  and  if  this 
cannot  move  us  to  earnestness,  nothing  will, 

V.  This  state  of  mind  and  action  is  loithin  the  reach  of 
every  minister  of  Christ. 

Some  men,  from  a  natural  physical  energy  of  character, 
may  be  more  prone  to,  and  better  qualified  for,  this  fervid 
and  devoted  zeal  than  some  others.  They  are  of  a  more 
mercurial  temperament  than  their  phlegmatic  brethren  who 
creep  while  the  others  fly  and  who  require  more  stimulus 
to  rouse  them  into  activity  than  is  necessary  to  keep  the 
rest  at  the  full  speed  of  their  progress.  This  is  constitu- 
tional to  a  very  considerable  extent ;  but  it  is,  after  all, 
more  of  a  moral  than  a  natural  inability  in  many  ;  and  the 
sinners  whom  they  address  and  call  to  repentance,  and 
to  whom  they  declare  that  the  only  hindrance  they  have 
to  true  religion  is  an  impotence  of  will,  are  just  as  excus- 


220  MOTIVES    TO 

able  for  their  want  of  penitence  and  faith  as  any  minister 
under  heaven  is  for  a  want  of  earnestness.  He  may  never 
be  able  to  be  a  scholar,  or  a  philosopher,  or  a  mathema- 
tician, though  he  may  acquire  more  of  all  these  attainments 
than  he  supposes  is  within  his  reach,  if  he  will  but  g^ive 
himself  to  early-rising,  make  a  good  apportionment  of  his 
time,  and  adopt  a  well-arranged  plan  of  study.  His  situ- 
ation and  engagements  may  be  such,  however,  that  he 
may  not  hope  to  rise  to  eminence  in  these  things  ;  but 
nothing  forbids  his  activity,  zeal,  and  entire  devotedness  to 
the  great  work  of  preaching  the  gospel  and  caring  for 
men's  souls.  He  may  not  be  a  consummate  orator,  for  he  " 
has  not  voice  for  this ;  but  he  may,  if  he  please,  use  what 
voice  he  has  with  good  effect :  he  may  not  have  the  ability 
for  finished  composition ;  but  he  can,  if  he  give  himself 
time  and  labor,  produce  sermons  full  of  spiritual  power : 
he  may  not  be  able  to  attract  around  him  the  rich,  the  lit- 
erary, or  the  great  ;  but  he  can  interest  the  poor,  and 
engage  the  children  of  the  Sunday  School,  and  perhaps 
their  parents :  he  may  not  have  ten  talents,  but  he  need 
not  wrap  up  his  one  in  a  napkin  and  bury  it  in  the  earth. 
Every  man  has  one  talent  at  least,  with  which  he  can 
busily  trade  and  acquire  profit  for  his  employer,  and  reward 
for  himself.  If  the  pride  of  some  men  over-estimate  the 
number  of  their  talents,  the  modesty,  or  in  some  cases  the 
indolence  of  others,  leads  them  to  make  too  low  a  calcula- 
tion of  theirs.  There  is  a  source  of  latent  energy  in  most 
men,  which  they  have  been  so  far  from  exhausting  that 
they  have  scarcely  touched  it ;  they  have  in  many  cases  to 
break  up  a  virgin  soil.  I  knew  a  minister  of  Christ,  and 
loved  him  well,  who  was  in  a  situation  where  he  had  done 
little,  and  feared  he  never  should  do  more.  Everything 
was  dull  around  hira,  and  he  was  dull  with  it.     It  pleased 


EARNESTNESS.  221 

God  to  remove  him  to  a  new  situation,  and  then  he  became 
a  new  man.  He  revived  from  his  torpor,  and  everything 
revived  around  him.  An  activity  and  energy  were  now 
evinced  which  surprised  himself  and  tliose  who  knew  him. 
He  formed  a  new  congregation,  instituted  a  variety  of  re- 
ligious organizations  of  a  useful  kind,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  earnest  men  I  knew.  All  tliis  energy  was  not  a  new 
creation,  but  a  resurrection.  So  it  might  be  with  many  more. 
There  are  the  principles  of  aciivity  within  them  which  are 
only  waiting  for  the  influence  of  circumstances,  or  the 
power  of  will,  to  give  them  life,  motion,  and  vigor.  Away 
then  with  the  excuses  of  indolence,  the  fears  of  timidity, 
the  objections  of  modesty,  and  the  opiates  of  conscience  ; 
for  it  is  these,  and  not  impossibilities,  which  prevent  any 
man  from  being  zealously  affected  in  a  good  thing.  Every 
minister  can  be  an  earnest  man  if  he  so  wills  ;  and  he  is  so 
when  anything  in  which  he  has  a  deep  interest  is  at  stake. 
Let  his  house  be  on  fire,  or  his  health  and  life  be  in  danger, 
or  his  wife  or  child  be  in  peril,  or  some  means  of  greatly 
augmenting  his  property  be  thrown  in  his  way,  and  what 
an  intensity  of  emotion  and  a  vehemence  of  action  will  be 
exerted  and  put  in  motion !  and  there  needs  but  the  might 
and  pressure  of  the  interests  of  immortal  souls  upon 
his  conscience ;  there  needs  but  a  heart  constrained  by  the 
love  of  Christ  so  as  to  be  borne  away  by  the  force  and  im- 
petuosity of  this  hallowed  passion  ;  there  needs  but  a  long- 
ing desire  to  be  wise  in  winning  men  to  Jesus  ;  there  needs, 
in  fine,  but  a  heart  fully  set  in  him  to  accomplish  the  ends 
and  objects  of  his  ofiice,  to  possess  that  high  and  noble 
quality  of  soul  which  it  is  the  object  of  this  work  to  rec- 
ommend. There  are  the  same  constitutional  varieties  in 
tradesmen  as  are  visible  in  ministers,  and  yet  we  never 
hearken  to  the  former  when,  in  justification  of  their  failure 


222  MOTIVES    TO 

for  want  of  energy,  they  tell  us  they  have  no  physical  ca- 
pacity for,  or  tendency  to,  activity.  Our  reply  to  them  is, 
that  what  is  deficient  in  them  by  nature,  must  be  made 
up  by  reason  and  diligence.  We  say  the  same  to  the 
preacher  of  the  gospel,  and  while  by  this  representation 
we  would  constrain  his  conscience  by  a  sense  of  obligation, 
we  would  interest  his  heart  by  awakening  hope.  He  may 
never  be  able,  with  his  measure  of  talent,  to  reach  the  suc- 
cess of  some  more  gifted  and  more  favored  brethren ;  but 
he  may  have  a  measure  of  his  own,  far  more  than  enough 
to  recompense  any  labor  he  may  bestow  to  obtain  some 
success ;  and  instead  therefore  of  spending  his  time  in  en- 
vying others,  or  sitting  down  in  despair  to  do  nothing, 
because  he  cannot  do  as  much  as  they,  let  him  rise  up,  and 
have  the  blessed  consciousness  and  reward  that  he  has 
done  what  he  could. 

You  who  may  read  these  pages  can  possess  and  exhibit 
real  earnestness  ;  all  its  delightful  excitement,  all  its  blessed 
results,  all  its  eternal  consequences,  are  within  your  reach. 
There  is  no  lion  in  the  street,  except  what  your  own  imag- 
ination sees  there,  and  your  own  sloth  has  placed  there. 
Make  the  effort,  it  is  worth  the  making  :  try.  you  can  but 
fail,  and  it  is  better  to  fail  than  not  to  make  the  attempt. 
Think  what  a  result  may  issue  from  a  new  devotedness. 
We  have  never  yet  any  of  us  rightly  estimated  the  im- 
mense importance  and  momentous  consequences  of  our 
work.  How  can  we  ?  They  are  eternal,  and  who  can 
duly  estimate  eternity  ?  Do  we  believe  what  we  preach, 
that  the  conversion  of  a  soul  is  of  more  consequence  than 
the  creation  of  a  world  ?  Is  this  sober  truth,  or  mere 
rhetoric  ?  Is  this  fact,  or  the  mere  garniture  of  a  sermon  ; 
only  a  dash  of  eloquence,  an  artifice  of  our  oratory  ?  If 
true,  and  we  know  it  is  so,  how  momentous!     A  soul! 


EARNESTNESS.  223 

weigh  it  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary,  and  settle  its 
worth  :  appraise  its  value.  Salvation  !  wondrous  word,  and 
more  wondrous  thing.  One  word  only,  but  containing 
millions  of  ideas  ;  uttered  in  a  moment,  but  requiring  ever- 
lasting ages,  and  all  the  amplitude  of  heaven,  for  the  un- 
folding of  its  meaning.  Archbishop  Williams,  who  was 
also  Lord  Keeper  in  the  time  of  Charles  the  First,  once  utter- 
ed this  memorable  speech  :  ''I  have  passed  through  many 
places  of  honor  and  trust  both  in  Church  and  State,  more 
than  any  one  of  my  order  for  seventy  years  before.  But 
were  I  assured  that  by  my  preaching  I  had  converted  one 
soul  to  God,  I  should  therein  take  more  comfort  than  in 
all  the  honors  and  offices  that  have  ever  been  bestowed 
upon  me."  What  a  confession  from  an  archbishop,  that 
he  did  not  know  he  had  been  the  instrument  of  converting 
a  single  soul  to  God  ;  what  an  impressive  importance  does 
the  confession  stamp  upon  the  work  of  saving  souls ;  and 
what  a  stimulus  should  it  supply  to  us  who  are  engaged  in 
this  divine  employment ! 

How  vain  and  worthless  a  thing  is  the  popular  applause, 
which  some  receive  for  eloquence,  compared  with  the 
proofs  of  usefulness  in  the  conversion  of  immortal  souls ! 
What  are  the  flatteries  of  the  foolish,  or  even  the  eulo- 
giuras  of  the  wise ;  what  the  honeyed  compliments,  or  the 
golden  opinions  of  the  most  distinguished  circle  of  admir- 
ers, weighed  against  the  testimony  of  one  redeemed  sinner 
that  we  have  been  the  instrument  of  saving  him  from  death, 
but  as  the  small  dust  in  the  balance  !  How  have  some 
men,  pre-eminent  for  their  intellectual  power  and  accus- 
tomed to  fascinate  the  spell -bound  multitude  by  the  powev 
of  their  eloquence,  yearned,  amidst  all  their  popularity,  for 
some  more  substantial,  satisfying,  and  abiding  reward  of 
their   labor,  thar    that    admiration  of   their  talents  which 


224  _  MOTIVES    TO 

they  were  accustomed  to  receive.  It  may  he  they  were 
not  unsusceptible  to  the  emotions  of  vanity,  nor  ungrati- 
fied  by  the  expressions  of  applause,  at  the  time ;  but  when 
they  found  that  this  was  all  the  result  of  their  labors,  they 
sickened  of  the  incense  and  the  honey,  and  exclaimed  in 
the  bitterness  of  disappointment,  and  the  anguish  of  self- 
reproach,  "  Is  this  all  my  reward  ?  Oh,  where  are  the 
souls  I  have  converted  from  the  error  of  their  ways?" 
We  have  a  striking  proof  of  tins  in  the  late  Dr.  McAll, 
whom  it  was  ray  privilege  to  call  my  friend.  It  was  im- 
possible for  this  extraordinary  man  to  be  ignorant  either  of 
his  great  powers,  of  the  estimate  in  wliich  they  were  held, 
or  the  effect  they  produced  on  others  by  his  pulpit  exer- 
cises. Nor  was  he  by  any  means  unsusceptible  of  the  in- 
fluence of  applause.  But  how  empty  did  this  appear  to 
him  as  compared  with  the  abiding  results  of  real  useful- 
ness;  which,  if  he  had  not  enjoyed  in  such  large  meas- 
ures as  some  others,  it  was  not  for  Avant  of  any  anxiety  to 
obtain  it.  "  Deeply  affected  was  he  often,"  says  Dr.  Leif- 
CHiLD,  "  by  the  fear  of  not  being  useful  in,  his  ministry." 
"  I  have  admiration  enough,"  he  would  say,  "  but  I  want 
to  see  conversion  and  edification."  He  spoke  of  some 
other  neighboring  ministers  whose  churches,  he  said,  re- 
sembled a  garden  which  the  Lord  had  blessed,  or  whose 
spots  of  verdure  were  more  vivid  than  his  own ;  but 
added  that  his  emotions  in  making  the  comparison,  partook 
of  a  character  that  absorbed  or  overwhelmed  sorrow  for 
himself.  I  remember  on  one  occasion,  after  a  brilliant 
speech  from  himself,  he  listened  to  a  much  plainer  and  less 
oratorical  brother,  whose  address,  however,  seemed  much 
more  penetrating  on  the  minds  of  the  audience,  and  pro- 
duced an  appearance  of  being  deeply  affected  on  their 
counteafuices.     At    that   moment   the   speaker,  hearing  a 


EARNESTNESS.  226 

loud  sobbing  beliind  him,  turned  round;  it  was  McAll. 
"^h,"  said  he,  afterwards,  "that  effect,  in  such  a  legiti- 
mate way,  I  would  give  the  world  to  be  able  to  produce." 
Though  the  desire  thus  ardently  breathed  was  elicited  on 
the  platform,  it  extended  to  every  description  of  ministe- 
rial address.  "  Oli,"  said  he  to  Mr.  Griffin,  again  and 
again,  "  I  care  notliing  what  tlie  people  ma}^  think  or  say 
of  my  abiUties,  if  I  may  but  be  useful  to  souls !"  and  once, 
with  a  kind  of  swelling  indignation,  "  God  knows,  I  do  not 
want  their  applause — I  want  their  salvation."  This  is 
eminently  insti-uctive  and  impressive,  and  is  one  of  the 
most  convincing  instances  which  the  history  of  the  pulpi* 
can  furnish  of  the  worthlessness  of  almost  everything  else 
as  an  object  of  ministerial  pursuit,  and  as  the  reward  of 
ministerial  labor,  compared  with  the  salvation  of  immortal 
souls.  This  was  not  the  confession  and  the  lamentation  of 
one  whose  envy  led  him  to  depreciate  the  value  of  that 
which  he  had  no  hope  of  obtaining,  but  of  one  who  was 
the  admiration  of  every  circle  into  which  he  entered,  and 
whose  surprising  talents  commanded  the  plaudits  of  all 
who  heard  him.  How  much  of  the  power  of  that  vast 
intellect,  and  that  splendid  eloquence,  and  of  the  admira- 
tion and  eulogium  which  they  drew  upon  him,  would  Dr. 
McAll  have  given  up  for  a  portion  of  that  usefulness,  which 
he  saw  was  granted  to  the  humbler  but  more  effective  tal- 
ents of  some  of  his  far  less  gifted  brethren.  Let  the  men 
who  are  but  too  apt  to  envy  such  displays  of  genius,  and 
who,  when  they  see  the  spell-bound  multitude  listening  ia 
breathless  silence,  or  dispersing  in  audible  applause,  fret 
because  they  cannot  do  so  with  their  enchantments,  study 
the  scene  before  us  :  let  them  follow  Dr.  McAll  home 
from  the  crowded,  fascinated,  admirine^  conorres^ation,  leav- 
ing  behind  him  the  atmosphere  perfumed  and  vocal  with 

10* 


a'ib  MOTIVES    TO 

applause,  to  commune  with  God  and  his  own  heart  in  his 
closet,  and  there  hear  him  exclaiming  with  a  burst  of  agosy, 
"  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our  report,  and  to  whom  has 
thine  arm  been  revealed  ?"  Let  them  mark  all  this,  and 
learn  that  in  the  estimation  of  the  most  gifted  minds,  there 
is  no  object  of  pursuit  so  sublime,  nor  any  reward  for 
ministerial  labor  so  rich,  as  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls. 

VI.  We  may  next  direct  our  attention  to  the  fact  that 
earnestness  has  usually  been  succ'essful  in  the  accomplishment 
of  its  object,  and  that  little  lias  ever  been  achieved  with- 
out it. 

We  admit,  and  in  the  conclusion  of  this  work  shall  more 
emphatically  state,  the  necessity  of  a  Divine  influence  to 
convert  the  soul ;  but  still  the  Spirit  works  by  means,  and 
by  means  well  adapted  to  accomplish  the  end  proposed. 
We  do  not  look  for  the  Spirit  to  convert  souls  without  the 
truth ;  it  is  by  the  presentation  of  this  to  the  judgment, 
and  by  the  co- working  of  Divine  grace  upon  the  heart, 
that  the  great  change  of  regeneration  is  effected.  It  is 
evident,  however,  that  this  blessed  result  can  take  place 
only  in  those  cases  where  the  truth  is  really  contemplated. 
The  attention  must  be  fixed  upon  it,  or  no  result  can  take 
place.  Attention,  and,  to  a  certain  extent,  abstraction 
of  mind,  may  be  said  to  be  essentially  necessary  to  the 
work  of  conversion.  Hence  those  preachers  are  not  only 
likely  to  be  most  useful,  but  are  most  useful,  who  have  the 
greatest  power  of  fixing  attention  upon  the  truth,  and  hold- 
ing the  mind  in  a  state  of  abstraction  from  all  other  topics. 
When  the  attention  is  so  withdrawn  by  their  manner  of 
preaching  from  foreign  matters  and  fixed  upon  the  truth 
then  presented,  the  Spirit  in  a  way  of  sovereign  mercy 
gives  forth  his  it.fluence,  to  change  the  evil  bias  of  the 
heart  towards  the  truth  thus  exhibited  to  the  understand- 


EARNESTNESS.  22Y 

ing  faculty.  We  perceive  in  different  preachers  very  va- 
rious kinds  of  power  to  engage  the  attention :  some  do  it 
by  a  commanding  eloquence  ;  others  by  an  impressive  ora- 
tory ;  others  by  a  burning  ardor ;  others  by  a  melting 
affection  ;  and  some  even  by  eccentricity ;  but  amidst  all 
this  specific  variety  of  manner  we  shall  find  the  one  pre- 
vailing characteristic  to  be,  an  adaptation  to  arrest  and  fix 
the  attention.  A  preacher  may  be  immeasurably  inferior 
to  many  others  in  the  vigor  of  his  intellect  and  richness  of 
his  imagination,  and  yet  may  be  very  far  their  superior  in 
seizing  and  holding  the  minds  of  his  hearers.  We  cannot 
hope  to  do  good  if  we  do  not  succeed  in  gaining  the  at- 
tention of  the  hearers  ;  and  our  expectations  of  accomplish- 
ing the  objects  of  our  ministry  may  be  indulged  witk 
mucli  confidence,  if  we  can  so  preach  as  to  compel  our 
hearers,  so  to  speak,  to  hsten  to  us.  There  is  a  striking 
incident  mentioned  in  the  Life  and  Remains  of  Mr.  Cecil, 
of  St.  John's  Chapel,  Bedford  Row,  that  master  of  pulpit 
eloquence.  He  was  once  invited  to  preach  in  a  village 
where  the  joyful  sound  of  evangelical  truth  was  rarely 
heard  in  the  parish  church,  and  where  he  thought  it  prob- 
able he  should  have  no  other  opportunity  to  proclaim  it. 
To  his  mortification,  when  he  had  got  half-way  through  the 
sermon  he  perceived  that  he  had  not  succeeded  in  gaining 
that  close  attention  of  the  people  which  he  deemed  essen- 
tial to  the  success  of  his  sermon.  The  time  was  going  by, 
the  case  seemed  desperate,  and  it  occurred  to  him  that 
something  must  be  done,  or  the  opportimity  was  lost ;  and 
pausing  for  a  moment  where  the  subject  admitted  of  his 
tiying  his  experiment,  he  said,  with  some  degree  of  that 
impressiveness  which  pertained  to  him,  "Last  Monday 
morning  a  man  was  hanged  at  Tyburn,"  and  then  went  on 
to  make  the  recent  execution  bear  upon  the  subject  of  dis- 


228  MOTIVES    TO 

course.  The  expedient  of  course  succeeded,  the  wander- 
ing eyes  of  the  congregation  were  fixed  upon  the  preacher, 
and  their  tniant  minds  upon  the  sermon.  He  gained  their 
attention,  which  was  riveted  to  him  through  the  remainder 
of  the  discourse.  Such  self-possession  is  a  noble  qualifi- 
cation for  a  public  speaker  ;  and  the  moral  of  the  anecdote 
is, — we  must  have  the  attention  of  our  congregations,  or 
we  can  do  them  no  good  ;  and  the  more  we  can  command 
this,  so  as  to  lead  them  to  think  of  the  truth,  the  more  likely 
we  are  to  do  them  good.  The  history  of  all  successful 
preachers  will  prove  that,  amidst  a  vast  variety  of  means 
of  gaining  this,  they  each  had  the  power  of  doing  it,  and 
in  that  power  lay  the  secret  of  their  success. 

Let  any  one  who  is  at  all  in  doubt  whether  the  impor- 
tance of  earnestness  is  overstated  in  this  work,  consider  who 
among  departed  ministers  have  been,  and  who  among  liv- 
ing ones  are,  the  most  distinguished  as  successful  preachers 
of  the  word  of  God.  If  he  apply  this  to  the  fathers  and 
founders  of  Nonconformity,  he  will  find  that  in  the  first 
rank  stand  Baxter,  Bunyan,  Doolittle,  Clarkson,  Fla- 
VEL,  Heywood,  and  Howe  ;  and  when  he  has  read  their 
glowing,  and  pungent,  and  powerful  appeals  to  the  hearts 
and  consciences  of  sinners,  he  will  not  wonder  that  such 
sermons  effected  the  high  purpose  for  which  all  sermons 
should  be  preached,  that  is,  the  conversion  of  sinners. 
Coming  on  to  later  times,  it  is  unnecessary,  after  what  has 
been  said,  to  mention  Whitfield  and  Wesley,  except  to 
reiterate  that  in  addition  to  other  high  and  nobler  qualities, 
earnestness  was  the  great  means  of  their  extensive  success. 
They  lived  and  labored  for  scarcely  anything  else  than 
the  salvation  of  immortal  souls.  As  a  proof  of  the  intensity 
of  their  zeal,  reference  may  be  made  to  the  race  of  men 
into  wkom  they  breathed  the  fervor  of  their  own  souls. 


EARNESTNESS  229 

and  whom  they  raised  up  now  and  then,  to  carry  on  their 
own  great  work.  With  here  and  there  an  exception,  the 
present  race  of  Methodist  and  Dissenting  ministers  are 
stiff,  formal,  cold-hearted  men,  compared  with  not  only 
the  leaders,  but  the  next  immediate  followers  of  those  illus- 
trious instruments  of  the  modern  revival  of  evangelical  re- 
ligion. How  few  of  us  are  worthy  to  be  mentioned  with 
Coke  and  Fletcher,  Rowland  Hill,  Berridge  and  Grim- 
BHAw ;  with  Cecil,  Newton,  and  Romaine.  What  men 
were  raised  up  in  Wales  by  the  Whitfield  movement  ? 
Daniel  Rowland,  Jones  of  Llangan,  Howell  Harris,  and 
their  successors,  John  Elias,  Christmas  Evans,  and  Wil- 
liams, of  Wern ;  men  who  caused  the  mountains  of  their 
own  romantic  country  to  echo  to  their  mighty  voices,  and 
filled  its  valleys  with  the  fruit  of  their  impassioned  oratory. 
If  we  look  across  the  Atlantic,  what  a  wonderful  man  do 
we  discover  in  Jonathan  Edwards,  whose  printed  ser- 
mons, and  which  were  only  in  accordance  with  his  ordinary 
ministry,  are  full  of  such  earnestness  as  is  exhibited  in  the 
specimen  given  earlier  in  this  work,  whose  ministr}'-  was  so 
full  of  its  successful  results.  Call  to  recollection  Stod- 
DART,  Bellamy,  Dwight,  Davies,  who,  in  the  land  of  the 
pilgrim  fathers,  diffused  abi'oad  by  their  unreserved  devoted- 
ness,  the  savor  of  that  Name  which  is  above  every  name, 
In  Scotland  there  have  been  the  Erskines,  the  McLaurins, 
the  Walkers,  the  Dicksons,  and  others  of  by-gone  days, 
whose  remains  tell  us  how  they  handled  the  word  of 
God,  and  whose  memoirs  inform  us  with  what  success. 
In  these  venerated  men  we  see  the  secret  of  all  ministe- 
rial power,  a  desire  amounting  to  a  fervor  for  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  and  an  adaptation  to  accomplish  this  in  their 
preaching. 

If  the  illustrious  companr  of  refoimers,  who  present  the 


230  MOTIVES    TO 

most  august  examples  of  burning  zeal,  next  to  the  apostles, 
be  not  referred  to,  if  the  majestic  and  might}''  Luther, 
the  profound  Calvin,  the  heroic  Zuingle,  the  intrepid 
Knox,  the  elegant  and  classic  Melancthon,  are  passed 
over,  it  is  not  only  because  they  are  too  well  known  to  need 
a  mention,  but  also  because  they  may  be  thought  too 
high  above  the  ordinary  sphere  of  ministerial  activity  to 
be  imitated  :  and  yet  if  the  pattern  of  the  great  Master 
himself  is  placed  before  us  for  contemplation  and  imitation, 
surely  that  of  the  most  renowned  of  his  servants  need  not 
be  withheld.  What  singleness  of  aim,  and  unity  of  pur- 
pose, and  concentration  of  energy  were  there  in  these  rare 
and  extraordinary  men,  and  what  less  could  have  carried 
them  on  through  their  noble  career  ? 

But  descendinof  to  others,  what  men  have  been  with  us 
in  the  recollection  of  the  present  generation,  and  the  brilliant 
horizon  of  whose  setting  sun  has  scarcely  ceased  even  yet 
to  glow  with  the  radiance  of  their  names :  the  gigantic 
Fuller,  the  mighty  Hall,  the  seraphic  Pearce,  and  the 
lion-hearted  Knibb  ;  the  intellectual  Watson,  and  the  mas- 
culine BoGUE  ;  the  eccentric  yet  generous  and  command- 
ing WiLKS,  the  judicious  Roby,  the  mild  yet  persuasive 
BuRDER,  the  pathetic  Waugh,  the  wise  and  tender  Grif- 
fin, the  captivating  and  lovely  Spencer,  and  the  eloquent 
McAll.  Honored  be  their  names,  fragrant  their  memo- 
ries, precious  be  the  recollection  of  their  example !  May 
we  who  survive  cherish  the  recollection  of  their  life  and  la- 
bors, and  never  forget  that  their  greatness  and  their  use- 
fulness arose  not  more  from  their  talents  than  from  their 
devoted  earnestness  in  the  cause  of  evangelical  truth. 

But  descending  to  others  and  to  living  examples,  more 
upon  the  ordinary  level,  it  may  be  well  to  look  round  upon 
those  by  whom,  in  our  own  day  and  before  our  own  eyes, 


EARNESTNESS.  231 

the  ends  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  the  object  of  evan- 
gehcal  preaching.,  are  most  extensively  accompUshed,  and 
to  inquire  by  what  order  of  means  this  has  been  done.  It 
would  be  invidious  to  mention  the  names  of  living  men,  to 
select  from  among  the  multitude  those  who  are  pre-emi- 
nent above  their  fellows  in  usefulness,  in  popularity,  in  the 
constant  exhibition  of  evangelical  truth.  Two  names,  how- 
ever, may  here  obtain  a  place,  honored  by  us  all,  and  an 
honor  to  us;  the  names  of  men  of  widely  differing  yet 
equally  conspicuous  and  acknowledged  excellencies,  who 
are  too  far  above  us  to  excite  our  envy,  and  whose  celebrity 
will  defend  this  willing,  affectionate,  and  admiring  testi- 
mony, from  the  charge  of  invidious  selection  or  fulsome 
adulation;  and  who,  each  in  liis  own  sphere,  one  in  the 
northern,  the  other  in  the  southern  hemisphere,  is  shed- 
ding the  lustre  of  an  evening  star,  and  reflecting  upon  the 
church  the  glory  of  that  great  Sun  of  Righteousness  in 
whose  attraction  it  has  been  their  delight  through  a  long, 
and  holy,  and  useful  life,  to  revolve ;  who  yet  live,  and 
long  may  they  live,  that  our  younger  ministry  may  learn 
in  the  holy  labors  of  Chalmers  and  Jay,  how  beautiful 
and  how  useful  is  human  genius,  when  sanctified  by  grace 
and  devoted  to  an  earnest  preaching  of  the  gospel  of  sal- 
vation. 

But  we  are  not  considering  now  what  may  be  done,  and 
IS  done,  by  the  gifted  few,  who  by  their  rare  endowments 
are  fitted,  as  well  as  designed,  to  enrich  our  theological 
literature  by  their  valuable  works,  or  to  gather  around 
their  pulpits  the  literary  or  philosophical  spirits  of  the 
place  in  which  they  dwell  :  these  are  the  exceptions  in  all 
denominations  to  the  general  rule  of  preachers,  even  as 
those  who  listen  to  them  are  the  exceptions  to  the  general 
rule  of  hearers.     Our  remarks  apply  to  the  men  who  mov« 


232  MOTIVES    TO 

the  masses,  who  operate  upon  the  popular  mind  as  it  is 
most  commonly  foimd  ;  and  what  are  they  ?  not  perhaps 
men  of  high  scholarship,  piofound  philosophy,  or  elegant 
composition  ;  but  men  of  energy  and  earnestness ;  men  lay- 
ing themselves  out  for  usefulness ;  men  of  tact  and  of 
business  in  the  management  of  their  fellow-men;  men  of 
heart,  of  feeling,  and  perseverance.  Where  is  a  large  con- 
gregation, a  flourisliing,  well-compacted  church  to  be 
found  ? — there  is  an  earnest  man.  Where,  in  what  coun- 
try, or  in  what  denomination,  does  one  such  man  labor 
without  considerable  success?  Where  has  the  faithful, 
devoted,  energetic  preacher  of  evangehcal  truth,  to  borrow 
and  use  in  a  figurative  sense  the  words  of  the  Lord's  fore- 
runner, had  to  sa)^  "  I  am  the  voice  of  one  crying  in  the 
wilderness  ?"  Where  do  we  find  small  congregations,  dis- 
satisfied or  declining  churches,  and  empty  chapels  ?  Where 
do  the  ways  of  Zion  mourn,  and  her  gates  languish,  be- 
cause none  come  to  her  solemn  feasts  ?  Certainly  not 
where  the  ministers  are  as  flames  of  fire.  No  matter  where, 
or  under  what  discouraging  circumstances,  such  a  man, 
who  is  one  of  these  sacred  flames,  may  commence  his  la- 
bors, he  will  soon  draw  around  him  a  deeply  interested 
and  attentive  congregation  :  no  matter  what  may  be  the 
denomination  with  which  he  may  be  associated,  he  will  not 
only  excite  the  indifference,  or  subdue  the  prejudice,  by 
which  he  is  surrounded,  but  will  awaken  interest  and  con- 
ciliate regard.  Under  the  magic  power  of  his  devotedness, 
blessed  as  it  will  be  by  God  the  Spirit,  the  verdure  and 
beauty  of  spring  will  succeed  to  the  gloom,  desolation,  and 
sterility  of  winter,  and  the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place 
shall  be  glad  for  him,  and  the  desert  rejoice  and  blossom 
as  the  rose.  In  some  cases,  the  changes  has  been  as  sud- 
den and  as  complete  as  in  Russia,  from  hybernal  frosts  ana 


EARNESTNESS.  233 

snows  to  vernal  flowers  and  fragrance :  churches  that 
seemed  only  the  repositories  of  the  dead,  and  places  for 
monuments  and  epitaphs,  have  become  crowded  with  living 
and  listening  hearers  of  the  joyful  sound  ;  and  chapels  once 
far  too  large  for  the  last  remains  of  a  former  congregation, 
have  been  soon  found  too  small  for  the  new  one  that  has 
risen  up  in  its  place. 

It  would  be  no  unprofitable  exercise  for  any  one  to  look 
round  upon  some  of  our  most  successful  ministers,  and 
after  surveying  the  f;xtent  of  their  usefulness,  to  say  to 
himself,  "  How  has  that  man  done  thii  ?  What  have  been 
the  means  by  which,  under  God,  he  has  accomplished  so 
much  ?"  Unhappily  there  are  d  few,  perhaps,  who  are 
so  enamored  of  what  is  literary,  intellectual,  or  philosoph- 
ical, that  even  in  large  ministerial  success  they  see  little 
to  admire  or  to  covet,  if  this  be  not  associated  with  scholar- 
ship and  science.  This  is  a  bad  state  of  mind,  indicates  a 
worse  state  of  heart,  and  proves  that  the  man  who  is  the 
subject  of  it,  has  totally  mistaken  the  end  of  the  ministe- 
rial office.  There  are  some  of  our  most  useful  preachers, 
who  are  far  more  conscious  of  their  literary  and  philosoph- 
ical defects,  than  these  supercilious  scholars  can  possibly 
be ;  and  who  would  purchase,  if  they  could  be  obtained 
by  money,  at  almost  any  cost,  if  they  had  the  means,  the 
high  attainments  which  their  more  limited  education  never 
enabled  them  to  acquire  :  but  at  the  same  time  they  would 
not  give  up  their  usefulness  for  all  the  literature  of  Greece 
and  Rome,  with  all  mathematics  and  philosophy  in  addi- 
tion ;  and  amidst  their  deficiencies  in  all  that  would  give 
them  weight  and  influence  in  the  world  of  letters,  feel 
adoringly  thankful  for  all  that  weight  and  influence  which 
they  have  accjuired  in  the  church.  Their  labors  in  the 
pulpit  have  gained  them  an  acceptance  which  is  far  more 


234  MOTIVES    TO 

surprising  to  themselves  than  it  can  be  to  others.  Perad- 
venture,  also,  they  may  have  adventured  on  the  sea  of  au- 
thorship, and  have  had  a  prosperous  course,  where  many 
expected  they  must  soon  make  shipwreck.  None  can  be 
more  sensible  than  themselves  of  their  defects  in  composi- 
tion, and  often  they  have  been  ready  to  blame  their  pre- 
sumption in  taking  up  their  pen,  and  to  resolve  to  lay  it 
down  forever,  when  perhaps  some  instance  of  usefulness 
has  come  to  their  knowledge,  as  if  to  reprove  their  vanity, 
wounded  by  a  sense  of  their  own  deficiencies,  and  to  make 
them  thank  God  and  take  courage.  They  knew  their  own 
department  of  literary  action,  and  aimed  at  nothing  higher 
than  to  be  useful ;  willing  to  bear  the  sneer  of  literary 
pride  and  endure  the  lash  of  critical  severity,  if  this  one 
only  object  of  their  ambition  could  be  accomplished,  the 
salvation  of  immortal  souls,  and  the  establishment  of  be- 
lievers in  their  holy  faith.  Such  men  there  are  among  us, 
■who  owe  not  their  success  to  a  finished  education,  for  it 
was  their  misfortune  not  to  enjoy  this  precious  advantage 
to  the  same  extent  to  which  it  is  now  carried  ;  nor  to  high 
scholarship,  to  which  they  make  no  pretensions  ;  but  to  an 
intense  desire  to  be  useful,  and  to  something  of  earnestness 
in  carrying  out  the  desires  of  their  hearts  :  and  in  addition 
to  the  direct  usefulness  they  have  accomplished  by  their 
own  labors,  they  may  be  abundantly  useful  in  another 
way,  by  showing  that  where  large  literary  acquisitions 
cannot  be  obtained,  still  simple  earnestness  without  them 
may  be  blessed  of  God,  for  accomplishing  in  no  inconsid- 
erable extent  the  great  ends  of  the  Christian  ministry. 

It  has  been  said  that  a  man  who  has  decision  of  charac- 
ter enough  to  make  up  his  mind  to  the  determination  to 
be  rich  ;  who  has  a  good  share  of  talents  to  uphold  his 
Resolution,  and  a  rigid  system  of  self-denying   economy, 


EARNESTNESS.  235 

will  ordinarily  succeed ;  and  observation  seems  to  a  con- 
siderable extent  to  support  the  remark.  With  far  greater 
certainty  may  it  be  said,  that  he  who  enters  upon  his  min- 
istry with  an  intense  zeal  for  God,  an  ardent  passion  for  the 
salvation  of  souls ;  and  with  this,  sustained  by  deep  piety, 
a  tolerable  share  of  talents  and  acquirement,  and  a  fixed 
purpose  in  humble  dependence  upon  God's  grace,  to  be  a 
useful  minister  of  Christ,  will  not  fail  of  his  end.  The 
failure  of  such  a  man  would  be  a  new  thing  in  the  earth. 
We  know  of  no  such  case,  and  we  may  not  expect  to  know 
it.  We  say  to  every  sinner,  in  calling  him  to  repentance, 
lie  may  be  saved  if  he  will :  not  intending  by  such  an  ex- 
pression, that  he  can  be  saved  without  the  Spirit  of  God ; 
but  that  he  may  secure  that  Divine  power  if  he  have  faith 
to  receive  it :  so  we  may  almost  venture  to  say  to  every 
minister  of  Christ,  it  is  his  own  fault  if  he  is  not  useful ; 
intending  by  such  an  assertion,  that  as  the  gospel  he 
preaches  is  God's  own  truth ;  as  preaching  is  his  own  in- 
stitute ;  as  the  minister  is  his  own  servant ;  and  as  to  all 
this,  he  has  added  the  promise  of  his  grace,  it  would  seem 
as  if  in  the  case  of  entire  or  extensive  failure,  he  has  him- 
self to  blame. 

But  we  may  look  at  the  power  of  earnestness,  as  seen 
not  only  in  the  cause  of  truth,  but  of  error.  It  has  often 
served  a  bad  cause  as  well  as  a  good  one.  Islamism  owes 
its  existence  and  its  wide  dominion  to  this  quality,  in  its 
extraordinary  founder:  Mohammed  exhibits  one  of  the 
most  wonderful  instances  of  this  the  world  ever  witnessed  ; 
and  with  what  dreadful  results  was  it  followed  in  his  case ! 
We  may  say  the  same  of  Popery  :  that  stupendous  fabric 
of  delusion,  which  throws  its  dark  and  chilling  shadow 
over  so  large  a  portion  of  Christendom,  owes  its  erection 
and  its  continuance  to  the  intense  devotedness  with  which  it 


236  MOTIVES    TO 

has  inspired  its  votaries :  it  is  this  that  upholds  a  system 
constantly  at  war  against  the  dictates  of  reason,  the  doc- 
trines of  revelation,  and  the  dearest  rights  and  liberties  of 
humanity.  It  is  this  mysterious  and  indomitable  earnest- 
ness of  the  priesthood,  which  has  resisted  the  attacks  of 
logic,  rhetoiic,  and  piety ;  of  divines,  philosophers,  and 
statesmen ;  of  wit,  humor,  and  ridicule ;  and  which  in  this 
age  of  learning  and  science,  commerce  and  liberty,  not  only 
enables  it  to  maintain  its  ground,  but  to  advance  and  make 
conquests.  The  Church  of  Rome,  which  Avould,  in  the 
hands  of  a  lukewarm  priesthood,  fall  by  the  weight  of  its 
own  absurdity,  or  be  crushed  by  the  hands  of  its  constant 
assailants,  is  still  strong  in  the  hearts  of  its  members ;  each 
of  whom,  from  the  Pope  down,  through  all  its  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  gradations,  to  the  most  insignificant  member, 
is  a  type  of  concentrated  and  intensely  glowing  zeal. 

The  pages  of  ecclesiastical  history  furnish  us  with  some 
extraordinary  instances  of  the  power  of  the  pulpit,  as  ex- 
hibited in  the  cases  of  some  Popish  preachers.  I  do  not 
now  refer  to  the  court  of  Louis  the  Fourteenth,  which, 
with  that  grand  and  licentious  monarch  at  its  head,  was 
subdued  into  a  trcfnsient  frame  and  season  of  devoutness 
by  the  sermons  of  Massillon,  but  to  the  preaching  of 
far  inferior,  and  less  known  orators,  and  to  effects  less 
courtly,  but  not  less  striking.  When  Connecte,  an  Ital- 
ian, preached,  the  ladies  committed  their  gay  dresses  by 
hundreds  to  the  flames.  When  Narni  taught  the  popu- 
lace in  Lent,  from  the  pulpits  of  Rome,  half  the  city 
went  from  his  sermons,  crying  along  the  streets,  Lord  Imve 
mercy  n-pon  us,  Christ  have  mercy  upon  us  ;  so  that  in  only 
one  passion  week,  two  thousand  crowns*  worth  of  ropes 
were  sold  to  make  scourges  with  ;  and  when  he  pre^iched 
before  the  Pope,  to  cardinals  and  bishops,  and  painted  the 


EARNESTNESS.  237 

crime  of  non-residence  in  its  own  colors,  he  frightened 
thirty  or  forty  bishops,  who  heard  him,  instantly  to  their 
own  dioceses.  In  the  pulpit  at  Salamanca,  he  induced 
eight  hundred  students  to  quit  all  worldly  prospects  of 
honor,  riches,  and  pleasure,  and  to  become  penitents  in 
divers  monasteries.  Some  of  this  class  were  martyrs  too. 
Here  then  was  the  power  of  earnestness;  but  being  in 
this  case  given  to  the  cause  of  error,  being  directed 
rather  to  the  imagination  than  to  the  heart,  and  intended 
to  correct  mere  ceremonial  irregularities,  rather  than  to 
lead  to  repentance  towards  God,  and  faith  in  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  we  are  not  surprised  that  the  storm  of 
passion  soon  subsided ;  that  Narni  himself  was  so  dis- 
gusted with  his  office,  that  he  renounced  preaching,  and 
shut  himself  up  in  his  cell,  to  mourn  over  his  iiTeclaim- 
able  contemporaries ;  for  bishops  went  back  to  court, 
and  rope-makers  lay  idle  again.  This  striking  fact  is 
replete  with  instruction,  not  only  as  showing  the  power  of 
the  pulpit,  but  at  the  same  time  the  essential  feebleness 
of  that  religion  which  does  not  aim  at  the  renovation 
of  the  heart,  and  the  transient  nature  of  that  effect 
which  is  produced  by  mere  rhetoric,  unaccompanied  by 
a  sober  exhibition  of  the  truth  to  enhghten  the  judg- 
ment, warm  the  affections,  and  awaken  the  conscience. 

But  it  is  not  only  on  this  grand  scale  that  we  see  the 
power  and  success  of  an  ardent  zeal,  even  in  a  bad  cause ; 
for  there  is  no  system  of  opinions,  nor  any  course  of  relig- 
ious practice,  however  remote,  not  only  from  the  truth  of 
revelation,  but  from  the  dictates  of  common  sense,  and 
even  the  decorum  of  society,  but  what,  if  preached  and 
propagated  by  men  of  intense  ardor,  will  gain,  for  awhile, 
some  disciples  to  believe  it,  and  even  some  apostles  to 
propagate  it.     If  men  are  really  in  earnest  in  blowing  bub- 


2  38  MOTIVES   TO 

bles,  some  will  be  found  to  look  at,  to  admire,  and  to  fol- 
low their  airy  and  unsubstantial  balloons.  It  has  been 
already  said,  that  earnestness  is  contagious  :  a  man  in  this 
state  of  mind  and  action,  is  sure  to  draw  some  others  under 
the  influence  of  his  own  example.  If  this  is  the  case  with 
a  bad  cause,  how  much  more  may  we  expect  it  to  be  so  in 
a  good  one.  Everything,  then,  combines  to  prove,  that 
our  want  of  success  must  be  traced  up,  rather  to  our  neg- 
lect of  the  right  means  to  obtain  it,  than  to  any  backward- 
ness on  the  part  of  God  to  give  his  blessing  to  our  own 
intelligent,  judicious,  and  earnest  exertions, 

VII.  The  state  of  our  denomination  demands  immediate 
and  devoted  attention  to  the  subject. 

In  speaking  of  our  own  denomination,  we  find  in  its 
general  condition,  much  cause  for  thankfulness  and  con- 
gratulation. In  the  number  of  our  churches  and  the  compe- 
tency of  a  very  large  number  of  their  pastors ;  in  our  col- 
leges and  schools ;  in  om'  missionary  and  other  organiza- 
tions ;  in  our  periodical  and  other  religious  literature ;  in 
our  public  spirit  and  liberality — we  see  signs  of  prosperity, 
and  tokens  for  good  :  and  if  we  are  true  to  ourselves  and 
to  our  cause,  we  have  nothing  to  fear.  Our  opponents 
cannot  do  us  so  much  harm  as  we  may  do  to  ourselves. 
With  a  system  of  doctrine  which  we  believe  is  taken  from 
the  New  Testament,  and  a  system  of  polity  which,  in  all 
its  general  principles,  is  derived  from  the  same  source,  we 
may  not  only  stand  our  ground,  but  advance,  if  we  will 
present  the  former  in  all  its  fullness,  and  will  administer 
the  latter  with  discretion  and  charity.  Everything,  under 
God's  blessing,  depends  upon  our  ministry.  This,  which 
is  important  to  every  denomination,  is  especially  so  to 
ours.  We  go  forth,  not  only  unsupported  by  the  wealth  and 
the  power  of  the  Established  Church,  but  without  the  aid 


EARNESTNESS.  239 

of  that  elaborately  organized  combination  wliicb  is  to  be 
found  in  some  sections  that  separate  from  it.  Our  minis- 
ters, so  to  speak,  do  not  contend  in  regiments  and  in  rank 
and  file,  but  single-handed,  and  should  therefore  be  all 
picked  men,  each  possessed  of  courage  and  of  skill.  Let 
us  only  take  care  to  send  none  but  such  into  the  field,  and 
we  may  hope  for  a  still  more  abundant  measure  of  pros- 
perity than  we  at  present  enjoy.  There  is  room  enough 
for  ail  denominations  in  the  vast  wilderness  of  our  neg- 
lected and  unchristianized  population,  and  we  have  no 
need  to  look  at  each  other's  labors  with  jealousy  and  envy. 
Satan  is  ruining  souls  faster  than  all  of  us  united  can  save 
them.  It  is  a  mark  of  deep  malignity  of  heart,  and  a  proof 
that  it  is  the  distempered  zeal  of  bigotry  that  moves  us, 
and  not  a  pure  love  to  God  and  souls,  when  we  see  with 
uneasiness  the  success  of  other  denominations  of  evangel- 
ical Christians,  and  rejoice  over  their  failure.  To  seize 
with  avidity  any  acknowledgements  of,  and  lamentations 
over,  a  want  of  usefulness,  and  then  tearing  them  from 
their  connection  and  exaggerating  their  statements,  to  hold 
ihem  up  exultingly  to  the  world,  and  tauntingly  to  the 
denomination  from  which  in  frankness  and  in  sorrow  they 
have  come,  may  suit  well  with  the  strategy  of  polemical 
warfare,  and  serve  the  cause  of  a  party,  but  ill  accords 
with  the  spirit  of  divine  charity,  and  promotes  but  Httle 
^  he  cause  of  our  common  Christianity. 

In  how  many  places  of  worship  connected  with  the  Estab- 
lishment, and  even  where  the  gospel  is  preached,  but  preached 
with  feebleness,  do  we  find  small  congregations,  and  few 
souls  converted  to  God.  Do  we  rejoice  over  this  ?  On  the 
contrary,  it  is  for  a  grief  and  a  lamentation.  And  is  there 
a  heart  so  envenomed  with  the  gall  of  bigotiy,  as  to 
rejoice  in  the  confession  that  is  now  made,  that  many  of 


240  MOTIVES    10 

our  congregations  are  witliering  away  under  the  effete  min- 
istrations of  incompetent  men  ?  Such  a  withering  is  in- 
deed going  on  in  many  places.  The  fact  cannot  be  con- 
cealed, it  is  notorious.  We  have  been  incautious  in  the 
admission,  not  of  bad  men,  for  few  of  these  ever  find  their 
way  into  our  pulpits — not  of  heretical  men,  for  we  take 
care  not  to  receive  such- -but  of  incompetent  men;  not 
always  incompetent  in  intellect,  but  in  talents  for  public 
speaking,  and  the  active  duties  of  the  pastorate.  From 
this  cause,  combined  with  the  increased  energy  and  activ- 
ity of  the  Church  of  England,  our  congregations  are 
diminishing  in  some  places,  though  multiplying  and  in- 
creasing in  others.  With  the  freedom  of  action  we  pos- 
sess, unrestricted  by  parochial  limits  and  ecclesiastical  laws  ; 
with  the  world  all  before  us,  and  Providence  our  guide ; 
with  a  good  feeling  towards  us  on  the  part  of  the  middle  and 
lower  classes,  we  have  every  ground  to  hope  for  success, 
if  we  can  obtain  an  adequate  number  of  energetic  and 
earnest  preachers :  but  we  have  not  taken  sufficient  care 
to  find  out  and  educate  this  right  sort  of  men,  and  in  some 
places  are  certainly  losing  ground.  Considerable  towns 
might  be  mentioned,  where  congregations  once  numerous 
and  flourishing  are  reduced  down  to  mere  skeletons  under 
the  dull  and  deadening  influence  of  heartless  men,  and 
yet  perhaps  good  men  too.  It  is  more  easy  to  settle  an 
incompetent  minister  over  a  church  than  to  remove  him. 
It  is  true,  we  have  advantages  for  such  removal  not  pos- 
sessed by  the  Church  of  England.  The  pastorate  is  not 
in  our  churches  a  freehold  ;  yet  it  must  be  confessed  that 
even  with  us  the  difficulty  of  getting  rid  of  a  pastor, 
except  for  immorality  or  heresy,  and  only  on  the  ground 
of  inefficiency,  is  not  small.  That  a  minister  should  wish 
to  stay  when  he  has  preached  away  nearly  all  his  congre- 


EARNESTNESS.  241 

gation,  breeds  a  suspicion  of  the  purity  of  his  motives,  and 
is  a  reflection  upon  the  integrity  of  his  character.  To 
reduce  a  congregation  and  scatter  a  church,  first  by  ineffi- 
ciency, and  then  by  obstinacy  in  retaining  his  post  in  oppo- 
sition to  the  wishes  of  his  flock  and  the  advice  of  his 
friends,  is  a  serious  matter  to  account  for  to  God.  Some 
such  men  talk  of  waiting  for  the  leadings  of  Providence. 
One  is  at  a  loss  to  find  out  what  rule  of  interpretation  for 
ascertaining  the  will  of  God  they  have  adopted  :  to  every- 
body else  but  themselves,  deserted  pews  and  a  dissatisfied 
as  well  as  a  reduced  church,  are  a  sufficient  indication  of 
the  leadings  of  Providence  for  tlieir  removal.  In  such  a 
case  one  should  suppose  there  needed  no  voice  fi-om  heav- 
en to  say  to  the  minister,  "Arise,  and  go  hence;"  nor 
any  finger  to  come  forth,  and  in  flaming  character.^  write 
"  Ichabod"  on  the  walls.  It  is  sometimes  said,  in  refer- 
ence to  such  men  and  their  flocks,  that  the  people  must 
suffer  the  consequences  of  a  hasty  choice :  and  so  far  as 
they  are  concerned,  they  deserve  it  ;  but  then  they  suffer 
not  alone,  for  the  denomination  in  its  strength,  and  charac- 
ter, and  efficiency,  suffers  with  them.  The  work  of  con- 
version, not  only  in  our  own  denomination,  but  in  the 
Church  of  England,  and  among  the  Methodists,  goes  on 
but  slowly,  and  the  spirituality  of  the  great  bulk  of  pro- 
fessors is  too  low.  This  is  confessed  and  lamented  by  the 
Evangelical  clergy,  and  by  the  Wesleyan  ministers,  as 
v/ell  as  by  ourselves.  The  Spirit's  influence  seems  in 
some  way  and  from  some  cause  obstructed,  and  in  the 
absence  of  this,  our  denomination  is  more  likely  to  feel 
and  manifest  the  visible  results  of  it  than  almost  any 
otlier;  and  such  a  consideration  should  lead  us  to  more 
serious  thoughtfulness  and  earnest  prayer  for  a  revived  and 
mtensely  devoted  ministry. 

11 


CHAPTER   X. 

MEANS  TO  BE  USED  FOR  OBTAINING  AN  EARNEST 
MINISTRY. 

This  is  a  most  important  part  of  our  subject ;  for  how- 
ever desirable  the  blessing  may  be,  yet  if  it  cannot  be  ob- 
tained, or  if  there  arc  no  means  by  which  ive  can  obtain  it, 
the  discussion  and  contemplation  of  it  are  quite  useless,  and 
even  worse  than  this,  being  calculated  only  to  excite  a  fruit- 
less wish,  or  Avhat  is  most  injurious  of  all,  a  disposition  to 
neglect  the  means  we  have,  in  the  hopeless  desire  after  what 
we  have  not.  But  we  are  not  to  entertain  so  desponding 
a  view.  Such  men  there  have  been,  and,  blessed  be  God, 
such  men  there  are,  and  that  in  no  small  number,  in  every 
section  of  the  Christian  church  ;  men  laboring  with  intelli- 
gence and  zeal,  and  success,  both  in  the  metropolis  and  in 
the  provinces ;  men  of  whom  their  age  need  not  be 
ashamed,  and  over  whom  any  age  would  have  rejoiced. 
Still  there  are  too  many  of  an  opposite  character ;  far  too 
many  to  render  the  question  impertinent  and  out  of  season, 
"  How  shall  such  a  ministry  be  obtained  ?" 

I.  It  is  imperative,  first  of  all,  to  have  the  truth  deeply 
engraven  upon  all  hearts,  that  the  church  is  the  conservator 
of  the  Christian  ministry/,  and  that  it  is  her  business,  and 
almost  her  first  and  most  important  business,  to  see  that 


MEANS    FOR    AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  243 

she  discharge  well  her  duty  in  this  momentous  affair.  She 
has  not  only  to  provide  for  her  own  edification  at  the  pres- 
ent time,  but  also  to  secure,  by  all  possible  vigilance  and 
care,  the  administrative  transmission  of  our  holy  religion 
through  every  age,  pure,  and  undefiled,  and  unimpaired  in 
its  capacity  to  confer  essential  and  eternal  benefits  upon  the 
children  of  men.  But  then  it  is  obvious  that  for  such  a 
function  the  church  must  be  regarded  as  a  purely  spiritual 
body.  And  it  should  be  deemed  a  question  of  no  small 
moment  bearing  upon  the  controversy  about  church  gov- 
ernment, what  system  of  polity  has  the  most  direct  tend- 
ency and  the  greatest  power  to  call  out,  to  secure,  and  to 
perpetuate,  an  evangehcal  and  eflfective  ministry.  An 
ecclesiastical  system  which  of  itself  has  no  effectual  provis- 
ion for  this,  cannot  surely  be  of  divine  origin,  and  that  of 
which  the  tendency  to  this  is  most  obvious  and  direct,  is 
most  in  accordance  with  the  word  of  God.  A  church 
without  such  a  conservative  principle  cannot  be  the  church 
of  the  New  Testament,  much  less  that  which  includes  va- 
rious and  ever-active  influences  againat  it.  Nothing  but  a 
spiritual  church  can  provide  a  spiritual  ministry,  and  what- 
ever spiritual  ministry  a  worldly  church  may  have,  cannot 
be  so  much  the  result  of  the  system  itself,  as  of  something 
extraneous  to  it :  and  even  in  spiritual  churches,  if  disci- 
pline be  relaxed,  and  worldly-minded  persons  be  admitted, 
the  conservative  principle,  which  in  fact  consists  of  the  vital 
piety  of  the  members,  is  impaired ;  and  if,  at  the  same 
time,  there  be  neglect  of  disciphne,  it  will  be  altogether 
lost,  and  heretical  men  come  in  to  fill  the  places  of  those 
who  were  the  preachers  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  It 
is  well,  therefore,  for  all  our  churches  to  bear  in  constant 
recollection,  this  their  high  and  sacred  function  as  conser* 
vators  of  an  evangelical  ministry,  and  to  maintain  the  power 


244  MEANS    TO     *BTAirs 

of  vital  godliness,  and  the  exercise  of  a  salutaiy  discipline, 
as  that  in  which  this  power  of  conservation  resides.  Let 
the  churches  consider  their  liigh,  their  glorious  commission  ; 
let  them  remember  the}^  must  be  of  such  character,  and 
such  order,  that  Christian  truth  as  to  its  essential  doctrines 
and  holy  practice,  and  at  the  same  time  the  calling  out 
and  supporting  such  men  to  uphold  and  preach  it,  may  be 
safely  trusted  to  their  vigilance  and  care.  But  let  them 
forget  this,  and  corrupt  their  fellowship  by  the  admission  of 
worldly-minded  professors,  "the  mounds  are  gone,  the 
fence  is  broken  up,  and  wolves  may  enter  in,  not  sparing 
the  flock.  Preserve  this  spiritual  condition  of  the  church, 
and  it  is,  what  it  was  intended  it  should  be,  an  undying 
torch,  which,  while  it  is  the  light  of  the  present  age,  shall 
safely  light  successive  ages  along  the  only  way  which  leads 
to  happiness  and  heaven." 

11.  Let  the  subject  he  tlioroughly  considered,  and  univer- 
sally admitted,  that  this  is  the  ministry  we  want,  and  must 
have. 

In  an  age,  like  the  present,  when  so  much  is  said  about 
knowledge,  and  such  high  value  is  attached  to  it,  there  is 
a  danger  of  our  being  seduced  from  every  other  qualifi- 
cation, and  taken  up  with  this.  The  establishment  of  the 
London  University,  and  the  incorporation  of  our  Colleges 
with  it,  have  given  access  for  our  students  to  the  fount  of 
academic  degrees  and  honors ;  and  there  is  some  danger, 
in  the  new  condition  of  our  literary  institutions,  lest  our 
young  men  should  have  their  minds  in  some  measure  drawn 
away  from  much  more  important  matters,  by  the  hope  of 
having  their  names  graced  by  a  Bachelor's  or  a  Master's 
degree.  It  is  a  foolish  clamor  that  has  been  raised  against 
all  attention  to  such  matters,  and  a  vain  and  barbarous 
precaution,  that  would  fortify  the  ministerial  devotedneas 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  245 

of  our  students  by  restraining  them  altogether  from  r-,uch 
scholastic  distinctions.  The  studies  necessary  to  enable 
them  to  attain  the  object  of  their  ambition,  are  a  part  of 
their  professional  education  ;  while  the  vanity  likely  to  be 
engendered  by  success,  will  soon  be  annihilated  by  the  com- 
monness of  the  acquisition.  Pride  and  vanity  are  founded 
on  conscious  distinction,  and  when  these  academic  Univer- 
sity degrees  are  so  common  that  almost  all  ministers  pos- 
sess them,  they  will  no  longer  be  a  snare  to  the  humility  of 
their  possessors.  Besides,  like  every  other  object  of  hu- 
man desire,  when  once  they  are  possessed,  much  of  the 
charm  that  dazzles  the  eye  of  hope  has  vanished.  Henry 
Martin,  when  he  came  from  the  Senate-house  at  Cam- 
bridge, where  he  had  been  declared  Senior  Wrangler  foi 
his  year,  and  had  thus  won  the  richest  prize  the  University 
had  to  confer,  was  struck  with  the  vanity  of  human  wishes, 
and  expressed  his  surprise  at  the  comparative  worthlessness 
of  the  bauble  he  had  gained,  and  the  shadow  he  had 
grasped.  No,  it  is  not  by  closing  the  door  against  such 
distinctions  that  we  can  hope  to  raise  the  tone  of  devoted- 
ness  in  our  ministry,  but  by  fostering  in  the  minds  of  our 
young  men  at  College,  and  equally  in  the  minds  of  our  con- 
gregations, and  ministers  in  general,  the  conviction  that 
earnestness  is  just  that  one  thing,  to  which  all  other  things 
must  be,  and  can  be,  made  subservient,  and  without  which 
all  other  things  are  as  nothing,  whatever  else  education 
can  impart. 

Our  congregations  need  perhaps  a  little  instruction  on 
this  subject.  I  am  afraid  the  taste  is  not  quite  so  pure, 
correct,  and  elevated  on  this  matter  as  it  should  be.  Thei-e 
is,  it  is  true,  a  demand,  and  it  is  well  there  is,  for  a  viva- 
cious and  animated  manner  of  preaching ;  and  pro^'ided 
there  be  what  is  intellectual,  there  is  a  decided  preference 


246  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

for  what  is  evangelical  in  association  with  it ;  but  there  is 
reason  to  fear  that  in  some  cases  a  small  modicum  of  evan- 
gelical truth  would  do,  provided  there  was  an  abundance 
of  talent.  Earnestness  is  demanded,  but  with  some,  it  is 
rather  the  earnestness  of  the  head  than  of  the  heart ;  the 
labored  and  eloquent  effusion  of  the  scholar,  the  philoso- 
pher, or  the  poet,  rather  than  the  gush  of  hallowed  feeling 
of  him  who  watcheth  for  souls,  as  one  that  must  give  ac- 
count. .Dullness,  however  learned  or  profound,  will  not  do, 
but  the  heartless  declamations  of  the  pulpit  orator  will  do 
for  some,  though  it  have  little  tendency  to  do  anything 
more  than  please  the  intellect  or  captivate  the  imagination. 
There  is  an  idolatry  of  talent  in  this  day  which  runs  through 
society ;  and  this  raan-worehip  has  crept  also  into  the 
church,  and  corrupted  its  members.  It  is  painful  to  per- 
ceive how  far  this  is  carried  in  many  circles,  and  to  see 
what  homage  is  paid,  what  incense  is  burnt  to  some  popular 
favorites.  It  is  not  religion  or  holiness  that  is  thus  elevated, 
but  genius  and  knowledge  :  it  is  not  moral  beauty,  but 
intellectual  strength,  that  is  lauded  to  the  skies  :  the  loftiest 
models  of  human  goodness  receive  but  few  devotees  and 
scanty  offerings  at  their  shrine,  compared  with  the  gods  of 
the  understanding.  There  can  be  no  surer  mark  of  a  moral 
apostacy,  a  lapse  from  man's  primeval  innocence  when  he 
came  perfect  from  the  hands  of  his  Maker,  bearing  the 
moral  image  of  his  Creator,  than  this  disposition  to  exalt 
genius  above  piety.  What  an  inversion  is  this  of  the  right 
order  of  things,  since  it  must  be  allowed  that  man's  intel- 
lectual nature  is  inferior  and  subordinate  to  his  moral  being. 
It  is  by  this  latter  that  he  is  removed  to  the  greatest  dis- 
tance from  the  brute  creation,  is  placed  in  most  direct  op- 
position to  fallen  spirits,  makes  his  nearest  approach  to  the 
angels  of  God,  and  bears  the  most  correct  resemblance  to 


AN   EARNEST    MINISTRY.  24t 

the  Holy  and  Eternal  One.  The  God  of  the  Bible  is  L.ot 
merely  a  Divine  intellect,  though  it  be  true  that  his  under- 
standing is  infinite :  nor  is  Omniscience  his  only  attribute, 
though  this  is  one  of  his  glorious  perfections  ; — but  God  is 
Love ;  and  when  the  seraphim  select  for  the  subject  of  their 
anthem  that  view  of  his  nature  which  calls  forth  their 
loftiest  praise,  they  contemplate  him  as  the  Holy,  Holy, 
Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty.  Infinite  goodness,  and  not 
merely  infinite  greatness,  is  the  Deity  we  are  called  by  the 
inspired  writers  to  worship,  and  all  the  most  sublime  spec- 
ulations or  descriptions  of  God  that  are  not  founded  upon 
true  goodness,  are  but  the  mere  inventions  of  men's  minds, 
and  no  true  copies  of  God's  representations  of  his  own  na- 
ture. The  prevailing  disposition,  therefore,  to  do  such 
homage  to  talent,  rather  than  to  moral  excellence,  is  only 
another  species  of  idolatry  that  exists  in  our  world,  more 
refined  and  subtle  than  the  worship  of  stocks  and  stones, 
but  still  scarcely  less  guilty. 

That  some  respect  must  be  paid  to  talent,  even  in  the 
ministry  of  the  word,  is  admitted ;  such  a  disposition  is 
inseparable  from  human  nature,  and  is  a  part  of  the  design 
of  God  in  creating  our  race,  and  forming  man  with  varied 
powers  of  the  understanding :  a  fine  intellect  is  to  be  ad- 
mired as  well  as  an  elegant  form  or  beautiful  flower;  and 
so  much  the  more  'as  that  which  is  mental  is  superior  to 
what  is  corporeal.  But  when  the  Christian  public  shall 
be  so  enamored  of  talent  as  to  admire  that  more  than 
the  message  which  it  is  employed  to  set  forth  ;  when  no 
preacher  can  be  heard  with  pleasure  or  endurance,  how- 
ever sound  his  doctrine,  or  clear  his  statements,  or  impres- 
sive his  manner,  or  earnest  his  address,  unless  his  discourse 
is  radiant  with  the  light  of  genius,  or  fragrant  with  the 
flowers  of  rhctori : ;  when  truth  itself  is  unpalatable  unlesa 


248  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

i'  oe  sweetened  Avitli  the  honey  of  human  elo(|iience,  and 
even  error  so  sweetened  can  be  swallowed  for  the  sake  of 
the  luscious  accompaniment ;  when  the  hearer  of  a  sermon 
can  turn  from  it  Avith  disgust,  because  it  fails  to  regale  his 
fancy  by  the  brilliancy  of  its  images,  or  to  lull  his  ear  by 
the  smoothness  and  harmony  of  its  peiiods  ;  when  this  is 
the  state  of  the  puolic  taste;  and  it  is  to  be  feared  that  lo 
a  great  extent  it  is  the  state  of  it ;  sm-ely,  surely,  it  is  time 
to  call  the  attention  of  our  congregations  to  something 
higher  and  better  than  such  matters  as  these. 

No  one  who  is  attentive  to  the  features  of  the  age,  can 
doubt  that  there  is  much  now  goingf  on  which  has  an 
obvious  tendency,  though  of  course  not  a  design,  to  cor 
rupt  in  some  degree  the  simplicity  of  the  public  taste  with 
reference  to  preachers  and  their  sermons.  The  pulpit  has 
some  reason  to  be  jealous  of  the  platform,  and  the  sermon 
of  the  speech.  If  the  modern  practice  of  endless  speech- 
ifying had  only  done  something  to  break  down  the  stiffness 
and  formality  of  sermonic  speaking,  and  to  introduce  a 
more  easy,  fluent,  and  energetic  method  of  address  on  the 
part  of  the  preacher,  and  a  cori-esponding  taste  for  a  more 
vivacious  method  of  instruction  on  the  part  of  the  people, 
it  would  have  conferred  a  substantial  benefit;  but  with 
this  has  come,  perhaps,  the  opposite  evil  of  making  the 
preacher  too  oratorical  and  the  people  too  fiistidious,  and 
of  destroying  somewhat  of  the  solemnity  and  spirituality 
of  both.  No  doubt  some  degree  of  earnestness  will  come 
in  with  this,  but  it  may  be  it  is  the  earnestness  which  is 
anxious  to  please,  rather  than  that  which  is  desirous  to 
convert,  which  aims  to  gratify  the  fancy  rather  than  to 
save  the  soul. 

It  is  in  vam  then  to  hope  for  such  a  ministry  as  that 
which  it  is  the  object  of  this  work  to  describe  and  to  recona- 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  249 

mend,  till  our  congregations  are  brought  to  see  its  vast 
importance,  and  to  demand  that  it  shall  be  given  them.  In 
this  cyse,  as  in  every  other,  both  the  demand  will  bring 
the  supply  as  well  as  the  supply  create  the  demand. 
Wlien  the  churches  shall  be  brought  up  to  that  state  of 
piety,  that  deep  solicitude  about  salvation,  that  in  tenseness 
of  pursuit  of  eternal  life,  which  shall  make  them  anxious 
for  ministers  who  will  aid  them  in  this  momentous  busi- 
ness ;  and  when  they  shall  say  to  tlie  tutors  and  commit- 
tees of  our  colleges,  "  You  must  not  only  send  us  learned 
men,  but  earnest  men,"  then  will  the  minds  of  our  excel- 
lent professors  be  still  more  fixed  on  the  most  essential 
qualifications  of  the  Christian  ministry,  and  still  more 
anxiously  endeavor  to  meet  this  demand.  And  when  our 
destitute  congregations  shall  let  it  be  distinctly  known  that 
it  is  not  merely  a  Master  of  Arts,  nor  a  merely  eloquent 
speaker,  nor  even  a  good  divine,  that  they  want,  but  one 
who  shall  watch  for  their  souls,  and  feed  the  flock  of  God, 
the  attention  of  our  young  ministers  will  be  still  more 
turned  upon  the  end  of  their  ministry  and  the  necessary 
qualifications  for  the  just  discharge  of  its  functions.  Let 
the  church  therefore  only  be  rightly  instructed  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  fix  properly  its  standard  ;  let  it  be  brought  up  to 
this  conviction,  that  nothing  less  and  nothing  else  than 
such  men  as  are  intently  fixed  upon  saving  souls,  will  be 
likely  to  be  useful ;  and  such  men  will  come  at  its  bidding ; 
especially  if — 

III.  There  he  much  earnest  prayer  presented  to  God  for 
such  a  blessing.  It  must  never  be  forgotten  that  ministers 
are  called,  qualified,  and  blessed  by  the  Lord,  the  Spirit. 
Hence  the  promise  of  God  to  the  Jews,  "  I  will  give  you 
pastors  according  to  mine  heart,  which  shall  feed  you 
with   knowledge  and  with  understanding ;"  and  also   the 


250  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

language  of  the  apostle,  "  He  gave  some  pastors  and 
teachers,  for  the  perfecting  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ."  li 
was  a  special  injmiction  of  Christ  to  his  disciples,  and  in- 
tended to  apply  to  his  people  in  every  age,  to  pray  to  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest  to  send  forth  laborers  into  the  field. 
From  tliese  passages,  as  well  as  from  the  general  principle 
that  every  good  gift  is  from  the  Lord,  we  learn  that  a 
faithful  ministry  is  one  of  God's  gifts,  and  a  precious  one 
t  is ;  and  were  the  church  in  a  high  spiritual  state,  this 
would  constitute  one  of  its  chief  subjects  of  prayer.  Per- 
haps we  are  not  brought  to  feel  with  sufficient  depth  of 
conviction  our  dependence  upon  God  for  this  great  bless- 
ing, for  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  c)  arch's  possessions 
and  ihe  church's  prayers  would  beai  in  this  particular 
some  tolerable  proportion  to  each  other.  We  cannot  con- 
ceive of  any  case  in  which  the  prom.ise  "  Ask,  and  ye  shall 
receive,"  would  be  so  abundantly  fulfilled,  as  in  reference 
to  this.  It  has  not  been  enough  considered  what  kind  of 
men  are  wanted  at  all  times,  and  especially  in  tliese,  for 
the  ministry  of  reconciliation  ;  that  in  fact  we  need  men 
formed  exactly  and  in  all  respects,  except  inspiration  and 
the  power  to  work  miracles,  upon  the  apostolical  model. 
Much  the  same  work  is  now  to  be  done  as  was  done  by 
them,  and  we  must  have  men  as  full  of  the  power  of  God, 
and  the  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  do  it.  Let  it  be  seen 
what  ministers  have  to  contend  with  in  this  day  of  their 
vocation;  not  indeed  the  spirit  of  persecution,  not  san- 
guinary laws,  not  the  amphitheatre,  the  axe,  or  the  stake ; 
but  obstacles  almost  as  formidable  as  these  things,  and  in 
some  respects  more  so ;  for  such  impediments,  if  they  less- 
ened the  number  of  professors,  raised  those  that  stood 
firm  into  the  devotion  of  seraphs,  the  courage  of  heroes^ 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY  25 1 

and  the  constancy  of  martyrs  ; — but  our  obstacles  are  the 
emasculating  influence  of  ease  and  prosperity  ;  the  insidious 
snares  of  wealth,  knowledge,  and  fashion  ;  the  engrossing 
power  of  trade,  politics,  and  secular  ambition ;  and  then 
let  any  one  consider  what  kind  of  preachers  and  pas- 
tors we  want  for  such  an  age.  If  we  had  nothing  more 
to  do,  and  were  contented  to  do  this  and  no  more,  than  to 
keep  religion  up  to  the  low  level  which  it  now  maintains, 
then  ministers  of  common  stamp  might  suffice  ;  but  to 
keep  in  check  all  the  enemies  of  vital  godliness  which 
threaten  the  devastation  of  the  church ;  to  resist  by  the 
potency  of  personal  example  and  the  energy  of  the  pulpit, 
the  worldly  spirit  which  threatens  to  eat  out  the  very  core 
of  vital  piety ;  to  keep  up  the  evangelizing  zeal  which  is 
awakened,  and  to  blend  with  it  a  sanctity  and  a  spirituality, 
which  shall  make  it  as  effective  as  it  is  busy ;  to  do  battle 
with  all  the  forms  of  error  by  which  our  common  faith  is 
likely  to  be  assailed  ;  and  to  do  this  not  only  by  the  force  of 
intellect,  but  by  being  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power 
of  his  might — to  achieve  this,  we  want  men  of  the  same 
spirit  as  those  who,  under  the  direct  commission  of  Christ, 
preached  the  word  of  salvation,  with  the  Holy  Ghost  sent 
down  from  heaven.  Have  we  many  such  men  in  the 
field  ?  If  not,  why  not  ?  Must  not  the  church  of  God 
blame  herself,  for  has  she  sought  such  men  by  all  the 
wrestling  power  of  believing  prayer?  Had  she  felt  the 
need  of  such  men,  and  had  lifted  up  not  her  hands,  or  her 
voice  merely,  but  all  the  energies  of  her  renewed  nature, 
in  beseeching  supplication  to  Him  who  is  ascended  to 
bestow  this  very  gift  upon  men,  she  would  have  obtained 
all  she  asked  or  wanted.  Let  the  church  only  set  her 
heart  upon  such  a  blessing  as  this,  let  her  faith  be  equal 
to  the  expectation  of  it,  and  her  prayer  be  as  her  faith, 


252  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

and  she  will  have  it.  And  why  should  she  not  expect  it  ? 
Wliat  is  there  in  the  nature  of  the  boon  that  forbids  her 
to  look  for  it?  Does  it  contradict  a  single  promise,  or 
contravene  a  single  arrangement  of  her  Divine  Head  ? 
Does  it  compromise  his  honor,  or  require  his  miraculous 
interposition?  Does  it  involve  any  stepping  out  of  iiis 
ordinary  course  of  action  ?  Why  then  should  it  be  thought 
incredible  that  she  should  obtain  a  more,  a  far  more  de- 
voted and  successful  ministry  than  she  now  possesses  ? 
Does  the  gospel  of  God's  grace,  either  at  home  or  abroad, 
prevail  as  could  be  wished  and  might  be  expected  ?  Does 
the  work  of  conversion  go  forward,  and  Christ's  kingdom 
make  those  encroachments  on  the  empire  of  darkness 
which  might  be  looked  for  ?  Who  will  venture  to  answer 
in  the  affirmative  ?  Whose  love  to  Christ  and  souls  beats 
with  so  feeble  a  pulsation  as  to  be  satisfied  with  what  is 
doing,  and  to  be  contented  that  things  should  go  on  as 
they  do  ?  Is  there  nothing  to  be  done,  no  way  to  accele- 
rate the  work  of  redeeming  mercy,  no  method  to  pour  the 
principles  of  spiritual  fertility  more  rapidly  and  more  dif- 
fusively through  the  moral  wilderness  of  our  barren  woild  ? 
One  is  yet  open,  and  that  is  for  Zion  to  awake  and  bestir 
herself,  and  lay  hold  of  God's  strength,  saying,  "Send  us 
more  laborej-s  into  the  field."  We  have  forgotten  to  pray 
for  ministers  of  a  right  stamp.  The  subject  has  never 
occupied  the  place  in  our  private,  family,  and  social  de- 
votions, which  its  importance  demands.  It  has  been  only 
occasionally  and  coldly  alluded  to,  but  has  not  been  lifted 
up  to  heaven  with  all  the  importunity  of  men  who  felt  that 
they  could  not  do  without  it. 

"  Truly,  if  ever  there  was  a  period  when  the  whole  Christian 
world  should  be  down  upon  their  faces  before  the  throne  of  mercy, 
imploring    with   all    the   importunity,  and  boldness,   and   perse* 


AN    EARNEST    ^MINISTRY.  253 

verance  of  faith,  a  race  of  ministers,  each  full  of  tho  Holy  Ghost, 
as  was  Barnabas  or  Paul,  that-  period  is  passing  over  us.  Not 
from  one  place  or  another,  but  from  all  quarters  of  the  earth,  tes- 
timony multiplies  daily  that  amidst  the  greatest  possible  facilities 
for  converting  the  world,  a  greatly  increased  and  more  devoted 
ministry  is  indispensable.  This  testimony  comes  to  us,  not  in- 
deed as  the  Macedonian  cry  came  to  the  apostle  in  a  supernatural 
vision,  but  in  a  manner  not  less  affecting  or  decisive  as  to  its 
purport.  It  is  a  real  sound,  which  flies  round  the  land  and  rings 
m  our  e?a-s  all  the  day  long ;  '  Send  us  preachers,'  is  the  univer- 
sal, ceaseless  demand,  at  home  and  abroad.  It  comes  from  more 
than  a  thousand  of  our  destitute  churches ;  it  comes  from  the 
cities,  from  the  wilderness,  from  the  islands,  from  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  sea,  from  tracts  until  lately  unknown  to  civilized  man. 
This  cry,  which  sounds  so  loudly  and  so  complainingly  in  our 
ears,  should,  by  general  consent,  be  turned  into  prayer  and  sent 
up  to  heaven.  And  shall  we  longer  forbear  to  do  this  ?  Shall 
we  stand  and  hear  that  unusual  cry,  and  ffeel  no  inclination  to 
direct  it  to  the  ear  of  him  from  whom  help  alone  can  come  ?  Is 
it  not  a  mysterious  species  of  infatuation  to  forbear  to  lift  up  our 
cry  to  the  Lord  of  the  hai-vest  ?  Why  do  we  not,  if  this  be  the 
case,  abjure  the  very  religion  of  Jesus,  and  abandon  ourselves,  as 
well  as  the  heathen,  and  the  whole  race  of  man,  to  despair? 
Why  should  not  a  reform  forthwith  commence,  and  the  place  of 
prayer  have  more  attractions  than  the  eloquence  of  any  mortal, 
or  any  angel's  tongue  ?  Why  then  will  not  every  true  Christian 
make  a  covenant  with  himself  to  change  his  life  in  this  particular, 
and  from  henceforth  make  it  one  of  his  chief  subjects  of  wrest- 
ling supplication,  that  God  would  give  us  a  more  faithful,  earnest, 
and  laborious  ministry  ?  Why  will  we  not  call  to  mind  how 
Abraham,  and  Moses,  and  Elias,  and  Daniel,  and  Paul,  and  above 
all,  how  the  blessed  Jesus  labored  in  'prayer,  and  resolve  in  God's 
strength  to  pray  in  the  same  manner  ?  Oh  what  an  amount  of 
beneficient  power  would  such  prayers  exert  upon  the  externa] 
destinies  of  our  world  !  What  wonders  of  grace  would  be  wit- 
nessed in  our  churches :  what  accessions  would  be  made  to  the 


254  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

sacred  ministry ;  what  an  impulse  would  be  given  to  the  cause  of 
missions ;  what  brightness  would  be  shed  on  all  the  prospects  of 
the  church  !"* 

I  echo  these  beautiful  sentiments,  and  earnestly  implore 
for  them  the  attention  they  demand.  They  touch  us  at 
the  right  point,  and  they  speak  to  us  at  the  proper  season. 
We  have  multiplied  and  extended  of  late  our  collegiate 
institutions,  and  greatly  improved  our  systems  of  ministerial 
education.  We  can  speak  of  colleges  whose  architecture 
would  not  diso-race  either  Cambridgfe  or  Oxford,  and  of 
professors  whose  attainments  in  biblical  literature  would 
not  be  surpassed  by  many  of  the  teachers  in  our  national 
seats  of  learning ;  but,  as  if  to  teach  us  our  dependence 
upon  God,  few  of  them  are  at  the  present  moment  filled 
with  students,  and  of  those  who  are  coming  forth  from 
them,  how  much  fewer  are  the  eminent  and  earnest  men 
we  would  wish  to  see  them.  The  same  remark  will  apply- 
to  the  evangelical  men  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of 
all  other  denominations.  I  would  be  the  last  man  to  speak 
lightly  of  education,  but  I  would  be  the  first  to  caution  the 
rhurch  of  Christ  against  the  sin  and  the  folly  of  making  this 
our  supreme  dependence.  Tutors  can  give  Latin,  Greek, 
and  philosophy,  but  God  alone  can  bestow  those  physical 
and  spiritual  gifts  which  constitute  the  chief  qualifications 
for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  It  is  a  fact  which  must  have 
struck  every  attentive  observer,  that  of  those  who  are  em- 
ployed in  the  ministry  of  the  word,  whether  in  the  Estab- 
lished Church  or  out  of  it,  very  few  are  eminent  in  any 
way.  The  brightest  flowers  of  humanity  are  not  in  great 
numbers  laid  upon  the  altar  of  the  Lord.     Many  of  those 

*  Relicrion  of  the  Bible.  Setect  Discourses,  by  Dr.  Sktnnkr,  of 
New  York. 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  255 

who  are  engaged  are  of  a  common  order  of  intellect,  Avhile, 
as  in  the  firmament  of  heaven,  only  here  and  there  a  star 
of  unusual  brilliancy  meets  the  eye  and  attracts  the  atten- 
tion by  its  magnitude  and  brightness.  Let  it  not  be  said 
that  God  chooses  the  weak  things  of  the  world  to  con- 
found the  mighty.  This  appertained  to  apostles,  who,  as 
they  were  clothed  with  the  power  of  God  by  their  gifts 
and  miracles,  could  dispense  with  all  other  potency  ;  but 
this  is  not  the  case  with  us,  who,  Avithout  appropriate 
qualifications  of  native  talent  and  education,  can  scarcely 
expect  the  blessing  of  God. 

IV.  A  revived  state  of  the  church  would  produce  a  min- 
istry such  as  that  which  has  been  described  in  the  foregoing 
pages.  In  the  natural  order  of  things  it  would  seem  that 
the  church  cannot  be  revived  without  a  previous  revival  of 
the  ministry,  and  yet,  as  the  ministry  are  the  children  of 
the  church,  they  can  hardly  be  expected  to  rise  above  the 
level  of  the  community  out  of  which  they  spring.  There 
is  a  kind  of  average  piety  of  almost  every  age  and  every 
church,  and  our  young  men  rarely  come  with  more  than 
this  to  our  colleges ;  and,  therefore,  although  we  do  not 
dispute  the  fact  that  little  expectation  can  be  indulged  of 
an  increased  piety  in  the  churches  without  an  augmenta- 
tion of  ministerial  devotedness,  yet,  at  the  same  time,  the 
latter  can  almost  as  little  be  looked  for  without  the  for« 
mer.  Re\ivais  have  sometimes  begun  with  the  people, 
who  have  drawn  the  ministry  up  to  their  own  level.  A 
hvely  church  could  not  long  endure  a  dull  and  lukewarm 
pastor,  who,  if  he  partook  not  of  the  prevailing  excitement, 
would  feel  himself  soon  obliged  to  leave  his  situation.  If, 
therefore,  the  ministry  cannot  revive  themselves  .and  each 
other,  it  were  unspeakable  mercy  if  they  should  receive 
an  impulse  from  the  people. 


25G  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

As  we  have  already  seen,  there  are  many  things  in  tlie 
present  age  whicli  are  of  a  most  auspicious  character,  ai.J 
which  give  it  a  lofty  pre-eminence  above  some  others  that 
have  preceded  it.  Who  can  witness  its  busy  activity,  its 
generous  liberality,  its  exhaustless  itigenuity,  for  the  con- 
version of  the  world,  without  admiration  and  gratitude  ? 
But,  as  we  have  before  remarked,  these  are  not  all  the 
elements  of  true  piety,  and  it  may  be  apprehended  tliat  in 
innumerable  cases,  these  things  are  only  the  substitutes 
for  the  essential  work  of  regeneration  and  sanctification. 
It  may  be  feared  that  Satan  is  taking  advantage  of  these 
matters  to  blind  the  judgment,  and  to  delude  the  souls  of 
many.  Men  of  keen  observation,  who  can  penetrate  the 
surface,  and  see  what  lies  below,  are  of  opinion  that  under- 
neath this  external  covering  of  liberality  and  zeal  there  lies 
a  want  of  vital  godliness ;  that  much  of  what  we  see  in  our 
multiplied  public  institutions,  is  but  as  the  flowers  which 
bloom  in  a  shallow  and  sandy  soil.  They  who  are  best 
acquainted  with  the  state  of  our  churches,  express  a  doubt 
whether  there  is  not  a  deplorable  lack  of  that  separation 
from  the  world,  in  its  spirit  and  customs,  which  the 
Christian  profession  implies.  Wliile  this  is  the  case, 
the  ministers  who  come  out  from  such  a  state  of  things  are 
likely  to  rise  no  higher  than  the  source.  Hence  does  it 
become  our  churches  to  consider  the  urgent  necessity  of 
their  being  elevated  to  a  higher  tone  of  piety,  and  of  join- 
ing heartily  in  any  eff'orts  that  are  made  to  bring  about  so 
desirable  a  state  of  things.  Even  they  who  have  them- 
selves drank  deepest  into  the  spirit  of  the  world,  will  some- 
times lament  the  want  of  intenseness  on  the  part  of  their 
ministers  ;  but  do  they  not  remember  that  their  own  worldly- 
mindedness  is  exerthig  an  influence  over  their  pastor,  and 
producing  that  very  state  of  mind  in  him  which  is  the  sub- 


AN    EARNEST    MrNISTRY.  267 

ject  of  their  remark  and  censure  ?  He  was  perhaps  a  more 
holy  and  heavenly  man  when,  young  and  flexible,  he  came 
to  them  from  college,  and  was  at  lirst  surprised  and  grieved 
to  witness  tlie  prevalence  of  lukewarmness,  but  after  striv- 
ing in  vain  lo  j>roduce  a  better  state  of  things  among  the 
members  of  his  chiucli,  he  was  gradunlly  drawn  down  to 
that  low  level  from  which  he  found  it  impi-acticable  to 
raise  them.  Tims  while  we  admit  tiiere  is  little  hope  of  a 
revived  church  which  does  not  lest  on  the  previous  revival 
of  the  ministry,  we  are  tempted  almost  to  argue  in  a  circle, 
and  to  say  there  is  little  hope  of  a  revival  of  the  ministry 
which  does  not  rest  on  the  previous  revival  of  the  church. 

Let  us  then,  both  ministers  and  churches,  set  about  in 
good  earnest  the  revival  of  religion.  We  act  and  react 
upon  each  other.  We  help  or  hinder  one  another.  We 
both  want  more  rehgion  ;  let  the  ministry  seek  it  for  the 
sake  of  the  people,  and  the  people  for  the  sake  of  the  min- 
istry. If  the  ministers  will  not  lead  the  people,  let  the 
people  lead  the  ministers.  If  the  blessing  cannot  descend 
from  the  pulpit  to  the  pew,  let  it  ascend  from  the  pew  to 
the  pulpit.  Let  the  church  of  the  living  God  arise,  put  or 
her  robe  of  righteousness,  her  garment  of  salvation,  shake 
off  the  dust  from  her  apparel,  and  shine  forth  in  the  beau- 
ties of  holiness.  We  want  a  better  chui'ch  to  make  a  bet- 
ter world  ;  and  a  better  chui'ch  would  most  assuredly  make 
a  better  world  :  and  we  also  want  a  better  ministry  to 
make  a  better  church ;  but  if  we  cannot  have  this  order 
may  we  have  the  other,  and  find  that  a  better  church  is 
making  a  better  ministry.  If  the  rain  of  heaven  collect  not 
upon  the  hills  to  pour  down  its  streams  upon  the  valleys, 
may  the  dew  of  the  valleys  rise  to  revive  and  refresh  the 
tops  of  the  hills. 

V.    We  should  as  pastors  of  the  churches  look  round  our 


258  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

refipectioe  JiockSy  and  see  what  devoted  youths  of  ardent  piety 
and  competent  abilities,  we  have  in  our  circle,  who  are  likely 
to  he  useful  as  ministers  of  Christ,  and  should  call  them  out 
to  the  work,  vjithout  waiting  for  the  first  impulse  to  come  from 
themselves.  A  radical  mistake  has  been  committed  through 
our  whole  denomination,  in  supposing  it  is  necessary  in  all 
cases  for  the  desire  after  the  sacred  office  to  rise  up  first 
of  all,  and  spontaneously,  in  ihe  breast  of  the  aspirant.  In 
consequence  of  this,  many  have  thrust  themselves  forward 
who  were  altogether  unfit  for  the  work  ;  while  many,  as 
eminently  qualified  for  it,  have  been  kept  back  by  modesty. 
Does  it  not  seem  to  be  the  work  of  the  pastors  and  the 
churches  to  call  out  from  among  themselves  the  most 
gifted  and  pious  of  their  members  for  this  object  ?  Is  not 
this  the  working  out  of  the  principle  we  have  already  con- 
sidered, that  the  church  is  the  conservator  of  an  effective 
ministry  ?  Are  not  they  the  best  judges  of  talent  and  other 
prerequisites  ?  Should  this  matter  be  left  to  the  inflations 
of  self-conceit,  the  promptings  of  vanity,  or  the  impulses, 
it  may  be,  of  a  sincere,  but  at  the  same  time  of  an  unen- 
lightened zeal  ?  Nothing  can  be  more  erroneous  than  that 
this  call  of  the  church  would  be  an  officious  intermeddUng 
with  the  work  of  the  Spirit  in  calling  the  ministry  ;  for  it 
may  surely  be  conceived  to  be  quite  as  rational  a  notion  to 
suppose  that  the  Spirit  calls  a  person  through  tlie  medium 
of  the  church  and  its  pastor,  as  to  imagine  that  the  com- 
mission from  above  comes  direct  to  the  heart  of  the  indi- 
vidual, especially  as  the  church  and  the  pastor,  or  at  any 
rate  the  latter  is  usually  applied  to,  as  a  judge  of  the  can- 
didate's fitness  for  the  work ;  and  thus,  after  all,  the  power 
and  the  right  of  pronouncing  a  judgment  upon  the  alleged 
call  of  this  Divine  Agent,  are  vested  with  the  pastor  and 
the  church.     To  affirm  that  an  individual  cannot  be  sup- 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  259 

posed  to  have  a  very  great  fitness  for  the  office  unless  his 
love  of  souls  has  been  strong  enougli  to  prompt  him  to 
desire  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  that  he  is  not  likely 
to  be  very  earnest  in  it,  if  he  be  thus  sent,  instead  of  his 
going  of  his  own  accord,  is  assuming  too  much  ;  for  in  the 
plan  here  recommended,  it  is  supposed  that  the  individual 
who  attracts  the  attention  of  the  pastor  is  one  who,  in  ad- 
dition to  true  piety  and  competent  abihties,  has  manifested 
an  active  zeal  in  the  way  of  doing  good.     It  is  only  on  such 
a  one  that  his  eye  would  light,  or  to  whom  he  would  ven- 
ture to  make  the  suggestion.     In  all  the  official  appointments 
recorded  in  the  New  Testament,  from  an  apostle  down  to 
a  deacon,  the  people  were  requested  to  looh  out  for  sjiitable 
men,  and  not  to  wait  till  they  presented  themselves.     Let 
us  then  give  our  serious  attention  to  this  subject,  and  look 
out  for  the  most  pious,  the  most  intelligent,  and  the  most 
ardent  of  our  young  men,  not  forgetting  at  the  same  time  to 
ascertain  their  physical  qualifications  af  voice  and  energy. 
It  is  not  studious  youths  only  that  will  do  for  this  work, 
mere  book-worms  who  will  devour  knowledge  and  make 
no  return  ;  but  such  as  will  unite  a  thirst  for  know^ledge 
with  an  intense  desire  to  employ  every  acquisition  for  sav- 
ing souls.     We  must   be   inquisitive   after   such ;    and  if 
they  are  youths  in  the  more  respectable  classes  of  society, 
young  men  that  have  known  something  of  good  society, 
and  have  acquired  the  manners  and  habits  of  gentlemen, 
that  have  had  something  to  do  with  business,  and  have  ac- 
quired such  a  proper  degree  of  self-confidence   as  shall 
give  them  weight  and  influence  of  character,  all  the  better. 
Low  men,  with  coarse,  vulgar  manners,  may  by  the  power 
of  great  talents  rise  above  their  origin,  and  be  of  value,  as 
diamonds  uncut  and  unpolished  ;    yet   how  much  would 
the  value  of  these  spiritual  diamonds  be  increased  by  the 


2G0  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

lapidary's  art :  but  when  vulgarity  is  associated  witli  slen- 
der talents,  it  is  only  as  flint  set  in  lead.  There  is  nothing 
in  gentlemanly  manners  that  deteriorates  piety  ;  though 
much,  very  much,  that  adds  not  only  to  the  gracefulness, 
but  to  the  usefulness,  of  the  ministerial  character.  The 
graces,  when  baptized  at  the  font  of  evangelical  piety,  ar- 
rayed in  the  robe  of  righteousness,  and  wearing  the  orna- 
ment of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit,  are  useful  handmaids  to 
the  Christian  pastor,  and  procure  favor  for  him  in  the 
solemn  duties  of  his  office.  If  we  may  judge  from  the 
specimens  left  on  record  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  Paul 
united  the  manners  of  a  courtier  with  the  fidelity  of  a 
prophet,  and  threw  over  the  stein  courage  of  a  martyr 
the  mantle  of  a  gentle  courteousness.  What  could  be 
more  polished,  yet  what  more  faithful,  than  his  address  to 
Festus  and  Agrippa  ?  and  we  can  imagine  that  even  his 
denunciation  against  the  high  priest,  who  had  commanded 
him  to  be  smitten  on  the  mouth,  was  all  the  more  terrible 
because  of  the  dignified  severity  with  which  it  was  uttered. 
Earnestness,  then,  is  not  incompatible  with  refinement,  but 
is  rendered  more  effective  by  it,  and  hence  the  importance 
of  our  sending  our  patrician  youths  to  the  sacred  office. 

Occasionally  we  may  find  in  our  churches,  some  who 
are  possessed  of  extraordinarj^  talents  for  speaking  and  for 
active  duty,  who  are  too  far  advanced  in  manhood  to  go 
through  a  college  curriculum,  but  who,  notwithstanding, 
would  make  admirable  preachers,  and  attain  to  considerable 
usefulness,  as  well  as  respectability.  A  man  of  natural 
genius,  of  strong  intelligence,  of  eminent  piety,  and  of  pul- 
pit power,  is  not  to  be  rejected  because  he  has  not  passed 
through  the  schools.  Those  who  remember  William 
Thorp,  and  especially  that  giant  in  theological  litera- 
ture Andrew  Fuller,  will  not  deny  that  he  who  called 


AN    EARNEST   MINISTRY.  261 

his  apostles,  not  from  the  philosophers  of  Greece,  nor 
from  the  orators  of  Rome,  nor  the  rabbis  of  Jerusalem, 
but  from  the  fishermen  of  Galilee,  may  sometimes  select  a 
servant,  even  in  our  day,  from  those  classes  which  have 
been  debarred  the  privilege  of  a  classical  or  a  philosophi- 
cal education.  Among  the  prophets  of  antiquity  was 
Amos,  the  herdsman  of  Tekoa.  These,  however,  are  the 
exceptions,  but  not  the  rule.  Even  the  bishops  of  our  ec- 
clesiastical establishment  are  lowering  their  standard  of 
qualifications  as  necessary  in  all  cases  for  the  ministerial 
functions,  and  are  accommodating  their  system  to  the  wants 
of  the  people  by  ordaining  men  to  the  sacred  office  whom 
their  predecessors,  an  age  or  two  back,  would  have  un- 
questionably refused.  We  must  not  pretend  to  more  fas- 
tidiousness than  they,  nor  be  horror-struck  at  the  idea  of 
introducing  to  the  pastorate  men  who,  though  they  are 
neither  scholars  nor  philosophers,  are  likely  to  be  power- 
ful and  useful  preachers  of  the  gospel.  A  collegiate  edu- 
cation must  be  our  general  rule,  which  it  may  be  hoped 
we  shall  never  abandon  ;  but  it  is  a  rule  from  which  we 
must  make  exceptions  in  the  case  of  those  strong-minded, 
warm-hearted,  earnest  men,  whose  tough  broad-sword, 
and  their  strength  in  wielding  it,  may  do  more  execution 
than  many  a  weapon  whose  blade  has  received  the  highest 
polish  that  art  can  give  it,  and  whose  hilt  sparkles  with 
the  richest  diamonds. 

VI.  This  is  a  subject  which  demands  the  close  and  seri- 
ous attention  of  the  ministry  themselves.  The  whole  present 
generation  of  our  preachers,  from  the  oldest  to  the  youngest, 
must  give  their  attention  to  this  matter.  We  have  known 
men  of  a  past  age,  whose  names  are  dear,  and  whose  mem- 
ory is  fragrant,  who  to  the  last  retained  the  ardor  of  their 
zeal,  and  whose  labors,  like  the  flame  of  the  volcano  rising 


262  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

from  beneath  the  snow-covered  surface  of  the  mountain- 
top,  were  carried  on  in  association  with  their  hoary  hairs ; 
and  some  such,  thougli  they  are  very  few,  still  linger 
amongst  us.  Even  they,  and  we  who  come  next  to  them, 
and  are  verging  on  old  age,  must  all  do  something  more 
and  something  better  than  we  have  done  for  Christ  and 
souls.  Our  sun  is  declining  and  our  shadows  lengthen  on 
the  plain,  but  the  day's  work  is  not  done ;  and  instead  of 
relaxinor  our  dilioence,  we  must  work  the  harder  because 
the  time  of  working  is  nearly  over.  As  long  as  we  have 
strength  to  grasp  the  sickle,  or  light  to  bind  a  sheaf,  let  us 
work  on.  Harvest-home  Avill  soon  be  here,  and  it  is  time 
enough  for  enjoyment  when  that  arrives,  and  we  shall  meet 
the  Master,  and  our  fellow-servants.  To  us  comes  with 
solemn  emphasis  the  admonition,  "  Whatsoever  thy  hand 
findeth  to  do,  do  it  with  thy  might :  for  there  is  no  work, 
nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  in  the  grave  whither  thou 
goest."  For  the  sake  of  our  younger  brothers  let  us  be 
diligent.  They  look  upon  us  as  patterns,  and  let  us  there- 
fore set  them  an  example  which  shall  come  to  them  with 
the  correctness  of  a  good  model,  and  the  power  of  an 
ardent  inspiration.  Let  there  be  no  running  from  our  post 
as  if  we  were  weary  of  our  service,  and  panting  for  the 
otium  cum  dignitate.  Let  it  be  seen  as  if  the  earnestness 
of  our  minds  imparted  vigor  to  our  bodies,  kept  off  the 
infirmities  of  our  declining  years,  and  enabled  us  to  renew 
our  youth  like  the  eagle's.  It  is  a  spectacle  which  the  ad- 
mirer of  military  glory  loves  to  witness,  to  behold  the  vet- 
eran soldier,  on  whose  countenance  the  suns  of  innumerable 
campaigns,  and  the  SAvords  of  his  foes,  have  left  their  visi- 
ble marks,  outstrij^ping  in  courage,  in  feats  of  arms,  and  in 
swiftness  of  foot,  all  the  younger  warriors  that  fight  at  his 
side,  and  to  see  him  rallying  their  fainting   hearts  by  the 


A^^    EARNEST    MINISTRY  263 

strength  of  his  c  wn.  Veterans  in  the  hosts  of  Emmanuel, 
see  then  your  duty  !  On  you  it  devolves  to  train  the  young 
recruits,  and  form  their  character  :  let  them  feel  that  they 
are  by  the  side  of  heroes,  and  catch  the  inspiration  of  your 
heroism.  Cast  over  them  your  shadow  while  you  live,  and 
they  will  then  be  anxious  to  find  your  mantle  when  your 
spirit  has  dropped  it  in  her  flight  to  the  skies.  Let  them 
see  you  intent  upon  the  conversion  of  sinners,  given  up  to 
your  work  of  saving  souls  ;  and  hear  in  your  conversation 
how  much  your  heart  is  set  upon  this  work.  Show  them, 
by  the  manner  in  which  you  are  finishing  your  course,  how 
they  ought  to  begin  and  carry  forward  theirs.  Correct 
their  mistakes,  elevate  their  aims,  and  inflame  their  zeal. 
Do  all  you  can,  by  your  private  intercourse  with  them,  to 
form  their  character  aright  for  the  service  of  the  Lord. 
Talk  to  them  modestly  of  your  own  success  in  the  minis- 
try, and  how  you  succeeded  in  this  high  and  glorious 
achievement.  What  maimer  of  men  ought  ye  to  be,  by 
whom  the  ardor  of  others  will  be  kindled  or  extinguished  ? 
May  God's  grace  be  sufficient  for  you. 

But  of  what  momentous  consequence  is  it  that  our 
younger  ministers  and  students  should  give  to  this  subject 
;ts  due  attention.  You  have  advantages  which  some  who 
have  gone  before  you  never  enjoyed,  and  which  at  times 
make  them  almost  envy  your  privileges ;  but  if  this  be  all 
you  seek,  if  it  be  the  best  and  the  highest  object  you  as- 
pire to,  you  have  mistaken  your  way  in  going  to  the  pul- 
pit, and  had  better,  whatever  of  literature  you  may  acquire, 
have  drudged  out  life  in  one  of  the  darkest  of  its  recesses, 
or  the  humblest  of  its  occupations,  than  to  have  entered 
the  Christian  ministry.  Oh,  what  scenes  attract  your  at- 
tention, and  ought  to  engage  your  energies.  There  around 
you  are  immortal  souls  perishing  in  their  sins,  eacJ*  one  of 


264  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

more  value  than  the  whole  material  universe,  each  capable 
of  being  saved  by  your  ministrations,  or  sure  to  acquire  by 
them  a  deeper  guilt  and  a  heavier  condemnation — there,  in 
sight  of  your  faith,  is  the  Son  of  God,  bleeding  upon  the 
cross  for  their  redemption — there  beneath  you  is  the  pit 
of  hell,  opening  wide  its  mouth  to  receive  them,  if  they 
die  in  unbelief — there  above  you  is  heaven,  throwing  back 
its  everlasting  portals  to  receive  them,  if  they  are  saved — 
there  before  you  is  the  bar  of  judgment,  at  which  you 
must  soon  meet  them,  to  account  for  your  ministry  in  ref- 
erence to  them — and  there,  beyond  all,  is  eternity  with 
its  ever-rolling  ages,  which  are  to  be  spent  by  them  and 
you  in  rapture  or  in  woe.  Is  this  true  ?  Is  it  fiction  or  is 
it  fact  ?  If  these  things  are  not  so,  you  are  found  false 
witnesses  for  Christ,  for  they  are  the  common  topics  and 
the  first  principles  of  your  discourses ;  but  if  they  are  all 
.realities,  then  with  what  state  of  mind  and  heart  should 
they  be  handled  ?  Begin  your  ministry,  beloved  young 
brothers,  with  a  clear  understanding  of  its  nature,  and  a 
deep  impression  of  its  importance.  Do  you  covet  useful- 
ness ?  Earnestness  is  essential  to  it.  You  cannot  do  good, 
at  least  in  any  extensive  degree,  without  it.  Listen  to 
those  who  have  gone  before  you  ;  their  testimony  is  founded 
both  upon  experience  and  observation.  All,  all  will  unite 
in  this  exhortation,  "  Be  in  earnest ;"  as  well  the  very  men 
who  have  had  least,  as  those  who  have  exhibited  most,  of 
this  quality  of  character,  and  mode  of  action.  Without 
this  you  cannot  even  be  popular,  to  say  nothing  of  useful- 
ness. The  public  will  hear  an  earnest  minister,  and  will 
not  hear  any  other.  You  may  call  this,  if  you  will,  bad 
taste,  and  wonder  they  will  not  listen  to  your  highly  intel- 
lectual and  philosophical  discourses,  and  be  ready  in  resent- 
ment to  withdraw  the  elaborate  preparations  they  so  little 


AN    EARNEST   MINISTRY.  265 

value,  and  retire  from  the  pulpit.  No  matter  whether  they 
or  you  are  wiong,  this  is  the  fact.  He  is  an  uuwise  trades- 
man, who,  because  he  thinks  the  public  taste  is  vicious, 
and  ought  to  be  corrected,  will  exhibit  in  his  window,  and 
place  upon  his  shelves,  no  other  goods  than  those  the  pub- 
lic will  not  buy.  In  this  case  the  taste  of  the  public  may 
be  wrong,  and  that  of  the  tradesman  right ;  but  in  the  case 
of  preaching,  if  the  people  demand  an  earnest  exhibition 
of  gospel  truth,  and  the  ministry  instead  of  this  will  give 
them  nothing  but  dull,  dry,  abstract  sermons,  it  is  they 
who  are  right,  and  he  is  wrong ;  they,  better  than  he  does, 
know  not  only  what  they  want,  but  what  he  was  appointed 
by  God  to  furnish  them.  Do  not  then  mistake,  and  deter- 
mine to  try  to  be  useful  in  some  other  way  than  that  which 
the  God  of  nature  and  of  grace  has  determined  upon.  Do 
not  resolve  to  try  the  experiment  of  opening  a  new  road 
to  usefulness  for  yourself ;  another  way  than  that  which 
apostles,  martyrs,  and  reformers  have  trod,  and  which  the 
ministers  and  missionaries  of  every  age  and  every  country 
have  found  to  be  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  even 
the  doctrine  of  the  cross  ;  a  way  which  you  may  deem  more 
befitting  the  talents  of  a  scholar,  and  an  age  of  philosophy. 
You  will  inevitably  go  wrong  if  you  do,  and  close  your 
career  lamenting  your  folly,  and  confessing  that  your  min- 
iste]ial  life  has  been  a  lost  adventure ;  a  melancholy  con- 
fession, and  one  that  is  not  unfrequently  made.  God  gives 
to  no  man  in  any  department  of  action  more  than  one  life, 
and  affords  to  none  an  opportunity  to  live  through  another 
term  of  existence,  and  to  profit  by  his  own  experience ; 
but  he  gives  abundant  opportunity  to  avail  ourselves  of  the 
knowledge  gained  by  trial,  as  it  goes  on,  and  by  extensive 
■observation.  You  have  known  enough,  and  seen  enough 
already  of  what  will  do,  and  what  will  not  do,  to  answer 

12 


266  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

the  en^s  of  your  office,  and  save  souls.  You  have  only 
to  look  back,  and  to  look  around,  to  find  evidence  to  guide 
you.  You  cannot  mistake  your  means  easily,  if  you  do  not 
mistake  your  object.  Settle  with  yourselves  what  is  the 
latter — that  it  is  to  save  sinners  by  leading  them  to  re})ent 
of  sin,  to  believe  on  Christ,  and  to  lead  a  holy  life  ;  and 
then  you  can  scarcely  fail  to  perceive  that  this  never  has- 
been  accompli^lied,  and  ordinarily  never  can  be,  but  by 
beseeching  tliem  and  praying  them,  in  Christ's  stead,  to 
be  reconciled  to  God. 

We  who  are  growing  gray  in  the  service  of  Christ,  fe"l 
somewhat  anxious  about  those  who  are  to  succeed  us.  We 
see  with  gratitude  and  wonder  what  God  has  wrought  by 
us ;  and  we  know  how,  as  instruments,  we  have  done  this 
thing.  We  see  how  souls  have  been  converted,  churches 
have  i-isen  up,  and  believers  have  lived  and  died  in  the 
faith,  and  know  full  well  that  it  was  under  the  testimony 
of  the  gospel,  plainly  but  enej-getically  stated.  In  looking 
back  we  often  feel  regret  that  the  activities  of  the  age  have 
taken  from  us  the  opportunity  to  make  greater  attain- 
ments in  elegant  literature  and  general  knowledge,  but 
none  that  we  have  made  the  great  theme  of  Christ  cruci- 
fied the  subject  of  our  ministry,  and  the  salvation  of  souk 
the  object  of  our  lives.  We  feel  amidst  the  gathering 
shadows  of  evening,  a  calm  and  sweet  satisfaction  that  in 
this  we  have  made  a  right  choice ;  mingled  at  the  same 
time  with  a  profound  humiliation  that  we  have  not  followed 
it  with  more  intensity  Df  devotion.  We  see  many  things 
in  the  review  of  the  past  that  we  would  alter,  but  we 
would  make  no  alteration  in  these  matters ;  much  that  we 
could  improve,  but  only  in  the  manner  by  which  we  could 
more  successfully  accomplish  this  object :  and  if  it  were 
permitted  us  to  live  over  again  our  existence,  or,  to  speak 


AN   SARNEST    MINISTRY.  26*7 

more  correctly,  to  spend  another  term,  and  set  out  afresh, 
it  would  be  our  high  resolve  to  get  more  of  what  the  men 
of  science  and  literature  admire,  but  only  to  enable  us 
to  preach  with  greater  power  the  doctrine  of  the  cross, 
and  to  be  better  qualified  to  seek  with  more  ardor,  and 
better  hopes  of  success,  the  end  of  our  ministry.  The  love 
of  applause,  and  we  have  all  too  much  of  it,  is,  we  hope, 
dying  in  our  hearts,  or  at  any  rate  appears  to  be  more  and 
more  worthless  in  its  object,  and  the  approval  of  the  great 
Master  more  and  more  intensely  desired.  Wliether  we 
look  back  upon  the  past,  or  consider  the  complexion  of  our 
feelings  for  the  present,  or  look  at  the  prospects  and  an- 
ticipate the  disclosures  of  the  future,  we  know  of  no  argu- 
ments cogent  enough,  no  language  sufficiently  expressive, 
by  which  to  enforce  upon  our  younger  brethren  in  the 
ministry,  and  in  reference  to  the  purpose  of  their  lives,  the 
important  admonition.  Be  in  earnest. 

YII.  Considerable  care  and  caution  are  requisite,  much 
more  than  has  been  exercised  hitherto,  in  the  introduction 
and  reception  of  young  men  to  our  colleges.  Incompetent 
ministers  are  the  burden,  as  inconsistent  ones  have  been 
the  dishonor,  of  every  section  of  the  church,  and  the  hind- 
rance of  the  progress  of  the  gospel  in  the  world.  In  hear- 
ing many  of  them,  one  is  ready  to  wonder  how  it  ever 
entered  into  their  hearts  to  conceive  they  had  been  called  of 
God  to  a  work  for  which  they  seemed  to  possess  scarcely 
a  single  qualification  beyond  their  piety  ;  and  the  wonder 
is  doubled  to  account  for  it  that  any  minister  could  recom- 
mend them,  or  any  committee  receive  them :  without  in- 
tellect, without  heart,  and  equally  without  voice,  tliey 
seem  sent  into  the  ministry  onl}'  to  keep  out  others  more 
competent  for  the  work.  How  many  have  been  permitted 
to  escape  from  the  pursuits  of  business,  in.  which  they 


268  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

might  have  done  well,  to  endure  the  greatest  privations, 
and  submit  to  tlie  most  humiliating  mortifications,  in  an 
olHcc  for  the  functions  of  which  they  were  deplorably  un- 
fit. How  many  of  them  have  passed  through  life  in  th« 
misery  of  being  amidst  a  discontented  people,  or  in  wan- 
dering from  place  to  place  without  remaining  with  any 
church  long.  Such  cases  have  been  found  in  every  age 
and  in  every  denomination,  but  they  were  never  so  numer- 
ous as  they  are  now.  A  spirit  of  fastidiousness  has  crept 
over  the  churches,  and  of  imsettledness  over  their  pastors. 
How  great  then  is  the  responsibility  of  recommending  a 
young  man  to  enter  the  ministry.  It  is  an  act  drawing 
after  it  consequences  of  a  most  momentous  nature,  and 
should  never  be  done  without  the  utmost  care  and  caution. 
It  would  be  well  if  ministers  would  call  in  others  to  bear 
tlie  burden  with  them,  and  to  share  the  responsibility.  It 
may  in  some  cases  expose  a  pastor  to  some  risk  of  giving 
offence,  if  in  the  exei'cise  of  his  fidelity  he  should  discourage 
the  aspirations  of  an  unsuitable  candidate  ;  an  evil  from 
wliich  he  would  be  sheltered,  at  least  in  part,  by  referring 
the  case  to  the  consideration  of  two  or  three  of  the  breth- 
ren in  the  vicinity.  It  is  not,  however,  the  pastor  only  who 
should  be  cautioned  about  recommending  candidates,  but 
the  committees  of  our  colleges  should  be  no  less  careful 
about  receiving  them.  It  is  extremely  difficult  by  a  first 
examination,  or  even  by  a  probationary  term,  to  judge  of 
ehoibility  and  fitness:  as  great  excellence  in  some  cases 
lies  liidden  under  a  very  uncouth  and  unpromising  exterior, 
and  in  others  is  very  slow  to  develop  itself ;  while,  on  the 
contrary,  in  a  different  class,  a  showy  exterior,  over  a  shal- 
low substratum,  is  so  deceptive,  that  not  only  months,  but 
even  years  must  roll  on,  before  the  necessary  qualifications 
can  be  determined  upon.     A  false  delicacy,  however,  has 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  209 

eometimes  led  all  our  committees  to  retain  yoimg  men  in 
the  college  of  whose  unfitness  there  remained  no  question, 
rather  than  put  them  and  their  friends  to  the  pain  of  recom- 
mending them  to  discontinue  their  studies  and  return  to 
trade.  It  should  be  recollected,  that  to  carry  on  the  edu- 
cation of  those  of  whom  there  is  no  rational  probability 
that  they  will  ever  attam  to  usefulness  of  any  kind,  either 
as  authors,  tutors,  or  preachers,  is  on  the  part  of  the  com- 
mittee a  betrayal  of  their  trust,  and  a  malversation  of  the 
funds  intrusted  to  their  care.  Let  there  be  then  a  far 
greater  degree  of  care  and  discrimination  exercised  in  the 
initiative  by  our  pastors  than  there  has  been :  ten  earnest 
men  are  better,  and  will  do  more  for  us,  than  a  hundred 
incompetent  ones.  It  would  be  better  that  many  of  the 
churches  should  remain  longer  without  a  pastor,  than  gain 
an  unsuitable  one  ;  just  as  it  is  a  far  more  endurable  evil 
for  a  man  who  wishes  for  connubial  felicity  to  endure  the 
privations  of  celibacy  any  length  of  time,  than  to  hurry 
from  those  into  the  miseries  of  an  unhappy  marriage.  We 
rrMst  be  more  careful  in  the  selection,  the  reception,  and 
the  retention  of  our  students,  than  we  have  been.  Since 
it  is  so  difficult  to  find  an  egress  for  those  who  are  once 
in,  it  is  highly  incumbent  upon  us  to  watch  with  greater 
vigilance  the  door  of  entrance. 

VIII.  There  is  no  class  of  men  to  lohom  we  can  look  so 
naturally  or  with  so  much  entreaty  for  their  aid  in  furnish- 
ing us  with  devoted  ministers,  as  our  tutors.  If  the  college 
be  the  mould  in  which  the  preacher  and  pastor  are  cast, 
the  tutor  is  the  man  who  shapes  the  mould,  and  pours 
into  it  the  metal.  How  much  then  depends  upon  these 
beloved  and  honored  brethren.  What  a  trust  is  reposed 
with  them,  how  solemn,  how  awful,  how  responsible  !  If 
it  be  a  momentous  thing  for  a  pastor  to  have  the  care  of 
a  single  church,  how  much  more  so,  for  a  tutor  to  have 


270  MEANS   TO    OBTAIN 

the  care  of  twenty  or  thirty  youtliful  minds,  each  of  which 
is  looking  forward  to  the  pastorate  ;  and  to  have  these 
replaced  by  otliers  every  five  years !  Such  an  occupation 
is  enough  to  make  the  stoutest  heart  to  tremble  under  an 
oppressive  sense  of  its  responsibilities.  The  strength  of 
our  churches  lies  in  our  ministry  ;  of  our  ministry  in  our 
colleges ;  and  of  our  colleges  in  our  tutors.  There  is  noth- 
ino;  about  which  we  ousjht  to  be  more  anxious  than  about 
this  part  of  our  system.  Happily,  to  whatever  department 
of  ministerial  education  we  look,  whether  to  the  philologi- 
cal, mathematical,  or  philosophical ;  whether  to  hermeneu- 
tical  or  dogmatical  theology,  we  find  in  our  various 
academic  institutions,  professors  of  whom  we  need  not  be, 
and  are  not  ashamed.  If  we  need  improvement  anywhere, 
it  is  in  the  homiletical  and  pastoral.  We  can  scarcely 
wonder  that,  in  such  an  age  as  this,  our  professors  should 
be  anxious  to  push  forward  their  alumni  as  far  as  possible 
into  the  regions  of  literature  and  science ;  or  that  they 
should  feel  a  solicitude,  now  that  the  London  University 
gives  an  opportunity  to  Nonconformists  .  for  obtaining 
academic  degrees  and  honors,  to  give  full  proof  of  their 
official  assiduity  in  the  distinctions  won  by  their  students 
in  these  laudable  contests  for  scholastic  fame  ;  but  at  the 
same  time  it  is  well  for  them  to  remember  that  while  these 
things  are  not  neglected,  one  popular,  earnest,  and  suc- 
cessful preacher  will  bring  more  real  credit  to  their  college, 
and  give  it  more  favor  with  the  public,  than  a  dozen 
Bachelors  of  Arts,  and  half-a-dozen  Masters  to  boot.  The 
occasional  exhibition,  and  it  can  be  but  occasional,  of  the 
titular  letters  affixed  to  a  man's  name,  will  not  often  ex- 
cite the  inquiry,  "  Where  was  he  educated  ?"  but  the  con- 
stant exhibition  and  effect  of  his  preaching  powers  will  be 
a  public  and  permanent  recommendation  of  the  institution 
where  such  a  character  was  fonned.     It  is  true  thai  natural 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  2*71 

preaching  talents  will  grow  in  almost  any  soil,  and  undei 
almost  any  culture ;  but  it  may  still  be  carried  to  a  higher 
degree  of  perfection  in  one  place,  and  by  one  hand,  than 
another.  There  is  also  such  a  thing  as  colleges  gaining 
an  identifying  character,  one  for  turning  out  better  scholars, 
a  second  for  giving  more  philosophy,  and  a  third  for  carry- 
ing on  a  better  theological  training  ;  but  that  in  the  long 
run  will  be  the  most  useful,  and  deservedly  the  most  popu- 
lar, which  succeeds  in  sending  forth  the  greatest  number 
of  earnest  and  successful  preachers. 

All  earnestness  has  a  tinge  of  enthusiasm  about  it,  and 
as  no  man  can  kindle  enthusiasm  in  the  soul  of  another 
who  has  none  of  this  mental  fire  in  himself,  our  tutors 
should  have  some  fire,  though  with  judgment  enough  to 
keep  it  in  its  proper  place,  and  to  do  its  proper  work  :  and 
however  enthusiastic  they  may  be  for  classical,  scientific, 
and  philosophical  studies,  let  them  concentrate  their  ener- 
gies, their  aims,  and  their  hopes  in  the  formation  of  the 
popular,  powerful,  and  useful  preacher.  They  who  know 
how  much  there  is  to  do  with  many  young  men  that  enter 
our  seats  of  learning,  and  how  much  of  necessity  the  time 
and  attention  must  be  divided  among  the  various  objects 
of  study,  will  confess  that  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  give  that 
prominence  to  homiletics  which  their  supreme  importance 
demands.  But,  notwithstanding  this,  opportunities  will 
^continually  present  themselves  to  an  anxious  and  observant 
professor  for  inculcating  upon  his  students  that  all  he  is 
teaching  them  will  be  useless,  if  they  do  not  make  it  sub- 
servient to  their  great  business  in  preaching  the  gospel 
and  converting  sinners.  But  it  is  of  especial  importance 
that  our  tutors  should  be  much  upon  the  alert  when  the 
students  begin  to  preach,  that  these  young  men  in  their  first 
pulpit  labors  should  select  the  tnie  subject  of  all  preaching, 
pursue  it  by  the  right  course,  and  seek  it  with  due  vigor. 


272  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

What  a  student  is  in  his  first  essays  at  pulpit  effect,  that 
he  is  likely  to  be  through  life ;  and  if  there  be  no  earnest- 
ness then,  there  is  likely  to  be  little  afterwards.  It  happens 
that  as  all  excellencies  rarely  combine  in  one  man,  many 
of  our  professors,  though  so  highly  gifted  as  regards  tal- 
ent and  acquirement,  are  not  all  of  them  distinguished  as 
preachers,  and  therefore  can  present  in  themselves  no  living 
models  of  what  pulpit  power,  as  to  manner,  really  is. 
Still,  they  who  cannot  illustrate  it  by  example,  can  teach 
it  by  precept.  May  they  see  the  importance  of  the  subject, 
and  labor  to  the  utmost  to  inculcate  it  upon  the  youth 
that  are  lookiwg  up  to  them  for  instruction,  and  labor  to 
the  utmost  to  kindle  in  their  breast  the  ardor  of  a  pulpit 
enthusiasm  ! 

We  can  easily  imagine  with  what  delight  they  must 
sometimes  witness  the  advance  in  extensive  and  accurate 
scholarship,  in  analytical  power,  in  logical  acuteness,  in 
metaphysical  subtlety  ;  and  in  some  rare  cases  may  felicitate 
themselves  on  such  results  of  their  labor,  though  they  can 
foresee  they  will  never  be  associated  with  pulpit  efficiency 
— but,  as  a  general  rule,  nothing  should  gratify,  much  less 
satisfy  them,  with  refoi-ence  to  their  students,  short  of 
adaptation  for  popular  effect.  The  demand  preferred  by 
our  countr}'-  upon  the  military  schools  is,  "  Give  us  sol- 
diers ;"  upon  our  medical  colleges,  "  Give  us  skilful  sur- 
geons and  physicians  ;"  upon  our  Inns  of  Court,  "  Give  us 
lawyers."  The  cry  sent  up  to  our  colleges  is,  "  Give  us 
powerful  preachers,  devoted  pastors," — nor  will  it  do  to 
meet  this  demand,  any  more  than  it  would  the  others,  by 
replying,  "  We  will  send  you  Bachelors  and  Masters  of 
Arts."  Much  less  Avill  it  do  to  send  men  who  will  feed 
the  churches  with  the  dry  and  sapless  verbal  exegesis  of 
German  theology,  instead  of  the  sweet  and  succulent  ex- 
positions of  our  ScOTTS,  our  Henrys,  our  Wardlaws,  and 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY. 


273 


our  Barneses.  Ministers  may  study  the  profoundest  criti- 
cisms for  their  own  improvement,  and  carry  on  a  cource  of 
exegetic  exposition  in  the  pulpit;  but  it  must  be  of  a 
character  that  shall  combine  impression  with  instruction ; 
and  let  our  tutors  aim  to  train  preachers,  who  shall  make 
their  sermons  expository,  their  expositions  sermonic,  and 
both  instinct  with  life,  and  essentially  popular.  Let  them 
with  the  men  they  send  into  our  churches,  give  us  as  much 
as  they  can  of  everything  which  can  polish  the  taste,  inform 
or  even  adora  the  intellect,  and  give  weight  and  influence 
to  the  character  in  general  society — the  more  of  all  this  the 
better;  but  let  them  never  forget  that  what  is  always 
wanted  for  the  momentous  subject  of  religion,  and  what  is 
especially  wanted  in  these  times  of  intense  earnestness,  is  a 
race  of  ministers  as  earnest  as  the  times  in  which  they  live. 
May  God  help  them  to  train  such  ministers  for  us  ! 

IX.  If  it  be  the  duty  of  the  churches  to  call  out  a  min- 
istry, it  must  of  course  he  no  less  their  duty  to  provide  the 
means  for  the  education  of  those  ivho  compose  it.  Among 
all  the  objects  of  Christian  benevolence,  there  is  not  one 
which  has  a  prior  or  a  stronger  claim  than  our  collegiate 
institutions,  and  yet  it  is  too  true  that  they  are  the  last 
whose  demands  are  properly  regarded.  Among  Piotestant 
Dissenters  especially,  the  main  pivot  of  their  whole  system 
is  their  ministry  ;  upon  this  everything,  under  God,  must 
turn.  As  this  is  strong,  everything  else  amongst  us  Avill 
be  strong  ;  and  as  this  is  weak,  everything  else  will  be 
weak.  The  springs  which  supply  the  reservoirs  of  our 
evangelizing  societies,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  are  to  be 
traced  back  to  our  colleges ;  and  yet,  the  churches  do  not 
yet  seem,  if  we  may  judge  from  their  conduct,  to  be  duly 
aware  of  this  fact.  They  are  not  however  to  be  consid- 
ered as  eleemosynary  institutions,  where  a  race  of  literary 
paupers  are  sustained  by  the  alms  of  the  affluent ;  for  it  is 


274  MEANS    TO    OBTAIN 

becoming  increasingly  tlie  practice  for  our  students  to  pay 
for  their  own  board  ;  but  beyond  this,  ^ve  have  the  invalu- 
able services  of  our  professors  to  reward,  and  many  other 
expenses  to  defray.  This  must  be  borne  by  the  churches, 
in  all  cases  where  there  is  no  vested  property,  or  where  it 
is  not  adequate  to  the  support  of  the  institution.  How  can 
property  be  better  applied  ?  What  expenditure  produces 
a  quicker  or  more  abundant  return  ?  A  good  education  for 
our  ministry  is  cheaply  obtained  at  any  price  ;  and  every 
shilling  we  expend  in  this  way  tells  at  once,  and  before  our 
eyes,  upon  the  object  for  which  it  is  intended.  And  yet, 
strange  to  say,  there  is  no  object  for  which  we  find  it  more 
difficult  to  obtain  a  regular  and  adequate  supply  of  means. 
Foreign  and  home  missions  have  an  annual  collection  from 
almost  every  church  in  our  denomination,  and  yet  how  few 
are  there  of  these  churches  who  grant  an  annual  collection 
for  any  college,  and  what  multitudes  who  never  grant  a 
collection  at  all !  The  platform  is  the  stage  of  modern 
activity,  but  our  colleges  can  make  no  exhibition  there  ;  we 
can  employ  no  succession  of  orators  to  advocate  our  cause 
by  speeches  in  support  of  resolutions  ;  can  exhibit  no  for- 
eigners ;  can  produce  no  excitement  by  tales  of  horror,  of 
pathos,  or  of  adventure  ;  yet  where  would  be  the  platform, 
but  for  the  pulpit,  and  what  is  the  pulpit  without  the  col- 
lege ?  We  ought  not,  it  is  true,  to  do  less  for  our  other 
organizations,  but  we  ought  to  do  far  more  for  our  educa- 
tional system.  We  must  bestir  ourselves,  and  not  allow 
this,  on  which  everything  depends,  to  fall  into  the  rear 
and  to  pass  into  the  shadow  of  one  or  two  deservedly  pop- 
ular societies.  If  a  larger  part  of  the  ztal  manifested  in 
arguing  for  our  voluntary  principle  were  employed  in  a 
more  liberal  support  of  our  denominational  institutions, 
they  would  be  in  a  far  better  state  than  they  now  are. 
With  all  our  ardor  in  the  cause  of  Nonconformity,  it  is 


AN    EARNEST    MINISTRY.  275 

easier  to  raise  large  funds  for  other  objects  of  benevolence 
than  for  this.  The  London  Missionary  Society,  which  is 
chiefly  supported  by  the  Congregational  body,  has  an  in- 
come of  nearly  eighty  thousand  pounds  a  year,  while  that 
same  body  does  not  raise,  by  voluntary  contributions,  more, 
perhaps,  than  eight  or  nine  thousand  for  our  seats  of  learn- 
ing ;  and  even  this  is  not  so  economically  expended  as  it 
might  be  by  a  consohdation  of  our  colleges.  It  is  high 
time  this  whole  system  were  looked  into. 

It  is,  however,  somewhat  cheering  to  know  that  this 
subject  is  beginning  to  be  understood  by  our  churches,  and 
a  more  just  appreciation  to  be  made  by  the  intelligence  of 
the  age  of  the  value  of  an  educated  ministry  ;  and  as  a 
natural  consequence  there  is  springing  up  a  more  general 
disposition  to  support  the  expense  which  it  incurs.  Many 
instances  have  occurred  of  late  of  the  owners  of  property 
apportioning  a  large  share  of  it  either  in  the  way  of  found- 
ing colleges  or  establishing  scholarships  for  the  education 
of  young  men  for  the  ministry.  An  individual  who  founds 
one  of  these  scholarships  may,  if  he  give  his  property  at 
at  the  age  of  thirty-five,  and  should  live  to  be  seventy,  have 
six  or  seven  ministers  preaching  the  gospel  at  the  same 
time,  who  were  educated  by  his  means  ;  and  when  he  has 
reached  his  heavenly  hom^,  may  welcome  to  glory  through 
a  long  succession  of  ages  the  souls  that  were  saved  by  the 
labors  of  those  ministers  for  whose  education  he  had  set 
apart  his  property.  How  laudable  and  how  noble  an  ob- 
ject of  honorable  ambition  does  such  a  proposal  present  to 
those  who  have  at  once  the  wnsh  and  the  means  to  do  good. 
Let  the  churches  collectively,  and  their  wealthy  members 
individually,  well  consider,  then,  the  obligation,  which  is  laid 
upon  them  to  provide  all  that  may  be  necessary  to  insure 
the  education  of  a  ministry  adapted  to  the  circumstances 
of  this  extraordinary  age. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

OIN  ZfW  NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  INFLUENCE  FOR  AN 
EFFICIENT   MINISTRY. 

This  work  would  be  essentially  defective  in  the  estima- 
tion both  of  its  author  and  its  readers,  if,  after  so  much  has 
been  advanced  about  instrumentality,  nothing  were  to  be 
said  about  the  agency  which  is  necessary  to  render  it  effect- 
ual for  the  accomphshment  of  its  object.  In  all  Divine 
operations,  whether  in  the  world  of  nature  or  of  grace, 
God  employs  a  chain  of  dependent  means  for  the  working 
out  of  his  purposes  and  plans ;  but  though  dependent, 
they  are  appropriate.  In  acknowledging,  as  we  must  do, 
the  adaptation  of  these  means  to  the  production  of  the 
intended  result,  we  do  homage  to  his  wisdom ;  while  in 
confessing  their  dependence  for  efficiency  upon  his  blessing, 
we  do  no  less  homage  to  his  power  and  grace.  There  is 
no  analogy  which  we  can  borrow  from  the  world  of  nature 
that  can  satisfactorily  illustrate  the  operation  of  Divine 
grace  on  the  human  mind.  We  know  very  well  that 
second  causes  in  the  material  universe  depend  for  their 
efficiency  upon  Divine  influence ;  but  it  is  an  influence  of 
a  totally  diff'erent  kind,  and  exerted  altogether  in  a  diff"er- 
ent  manner  from  that  of  which  we  now  write  ;  and  we  are 
very  httle  aided  in  >ur  perceptions  of  the  nature  of  tho 


THE    NECESSITY    OF    DIVINE    INFLUENCE.  271 

Spii-it's  operation  upon  the  human  mind,  by  anything  we 
observe  in  the  world  of  vegetable  or  animal  life.  There 
are  two  aspects  in  which  man  is  to  be  viewed  in  relation  to 
the  means  employed  for  his  salvation,  as  both  a  rational 
and  a  sinful  creature ;  or  as  a  rational  creature  whose  rea- 
son is  under  the  dominion  of  sin :  consequently,  whatevei 
method  be  adopted  for  his  salvation,  he  must  be  dealt  with 
in  both  these  views  of  his  condition.  His  fallen  state  as  a 
sinner  has  not  bereft  him  of  his  reason,  will,  and  responsi- 
bility ;  but  his  reason  and  will  alone  will  never  lift  him  out 
of  his  condition  as  a  fallen  sinner.  He  cannot  be  dealt 
with  otherwise  than  he  is,  and  as  a  rational  creature  he 
must  be  treated  as  such,  and  not  as  a  brute  or  a  block. 
His  intellect  must  be  appealed  to  by  argument,  and  his 
heart  by  motives.  Now  it  will  be  seen  that  in  the  means 
of  grace,  and  especially  in  preaching,  there  is  a  provision 
for  all  this.  Here  is  truth  to  be  presented  to  the  intellect, 
truth  which  represents  the  whole  state  of  the  case  between 
God  and  the  sinner,  the  nature  and  obligations  of  the 
moral  law,  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  the  weight  of  the 
tremendous  penalty  of  the  violated  precept,  the  wonderful 
love  of  God  in  the  provision  he  has  made  for  the  salvation 
of  the  sinner,  with  the  eternal  results  of  misery  or  bliss 
which  follow  upon  faith  and  unbelief.  In  all  this,  there  is 
something  in  its  own  nature  adapted  to  engage  the  atten- 
tion and  to  interest  the  heart  of  the  sinner.  It  is  not  only 
the  truth,  but  just  the  truth  that  suits  his  condition. 
In  addition  to  this,  there  is  in  preaching  the  adaptation  of 
the  manner  as  well  as  the  matter  to  his  circumstances, 
the  tendency  of  the  living  voice,  and  ministerial  solicitude, 
and  earnest  elocution,  to  engage  the  intellect  and  impress 
the  heart.  It  will  follow,  of  course,  that  earnestness  is  a 
part  of  this  well-adapted  system  of  means,  and  the  more 


2*78  THE    NECESSITY    OF 

earnest  a  m;in  is,  the  more  likely,  so  far  as  means  go,  is 
he  to  do  o:(3od  ;  for  if  it  be  the  matter  which  God  blesses 
to  chano'e  the  heart,  it  is  also  the  manner  which  he  blesses 
to  fix  the  attention  preparatory  to  this  change  :  there  is  as 
obvious  an  adaptation  in  the  latter  as  in  the  former.  How 
comes  it  to  pass  that  there  is  greater  efficiency  usually  at- 
tendant upon  hearing  the  word,  than  there  is  upon  reading 
it?  Just  because  there  is  a  greater  adaptation  to  fix  at- 
tention and  to  impress  the  heart ;  and  by  the  same  rule 
we  argue  there  is  more  adaptation  to  do  this  in  one  man's 
manner,  than  in  that  of  another.  Hence  we  see  that  those 
preachers  are  the  most  successful,  whom,  independently  of 
a  Divine  power,  we  might  expect  to  be  so.  This  does  not 
disprove  the  necessity  of  a  Divine  influence,  but  only 
shows  what  order  of  instrumentality  it  is  that  the  Divine 
Spirit  usually  employs,  and  consequently  what  instrumen- 
tality we  should  select.  As  God  does  not  usually  bless 
ignorance,  or  dullness,  or  obscurity,  or  feebleness,  we  should 
avoid  these ;  and  to  look  for  great  results  from  them,  is 
to  expect  not  only  what  God  has  not  promised,  but  what 
he  very  rarely  bestows  without  having  promised  it.  Thus 
God  deals  with  us  as  rational  creatures,  by  presenting  to 
us  that  truth,  and  requiring  us  to  understand  and  believe 
it,  the  reception  of  which  into  the  heart  changes  the  whole 
character  and  conduct. 

But  then  there  is  in  the  heart  of  man,  not  only  an  in- 
difference, but  an  opposition  to  this  truth  ;  both  a  disrelish 
for,  and  a  dislike  to  it.  "  The  carnal  mind  is  enmity  against 
God,  and  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  neither  indeed 
can  be."  The  heart  so  blinds  the  judgment,  that  "  the  nat- 
ural man  discerneth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God, 
neither  indeed  can  he  know  them,  because  they  are  spir- 
itually discerned."     Therefore,  however  the  attention  may 


DIVINE    INFLUENCE.  2*79 

be  gained  by  the  manner,  and  gained  it  must  be  in  order  to 
conversion,  yet  the  heart  is  still  opposed  to  the  truth; 
hence  the  need  of  the  Spirit's  influence  to  subdue  this  re- 
sistance of  the  heart  to  truth  itself.  Now  here  it  will  be 
perceived  is  the  concurrence  of  the  truth  and  the  Spirit  in 
conversion — conversion  is  the  sinner  being  brought  to 
know  and  love  the  objects  presented  in  the  truth — 
therefore  the  truth  must  be  presented  to  the  intellect  in 
order  that  it  might  be  thus  known  and  loved ;  but  then  it 
never  will  be  so  lo^•ed,  however  theoretically  understood, 
till  the  Spirit  takes  away  the  disrelish  for  it  which  is  in 
the  heart.  Without  the  truth,  there  is  nothing  to  engage 
the  attention  and  employ  the  intellect  of  man,  as  a  rational 
being ;  without  the  Spirit,  there  is  no  inclination  of  the 
heart,  when  the  truth  is  so  presented.  If  a  certain  quality 
of  an  object  be  the  ground  of  dislike  to  it,  an  increasing 
knowledge  of  the  object  and  of  this  quality  cannot  m  the 
nature  of  things  subdue  our  hostilit}^ ;  the  taste  must  be 
changed  ere  the  object  can  be  relished.  It  is  precisely 
thus  with  the  sinner  and  the  truth  ;  he  dislikes  the  gospel 
for  its  holiness,  and  no  increase  of  hght  will  vanquish  en- 
mity. Consequently,  whatever  be  the  earnestness  of  the 
pi'eacher's  manner,  or  whatever  be  the  clearness  of  his 
matter,  no  saWng  i-esult  will  follow,  unless  the  Spirit  give 
his  blessing.  Yet  pleaching  is  as  necessary  as  if  all  were 
done  by  this  alone,  without  the  Spirit,  because  it  is  by  this 
order  of  means  that  the  Spirit  woi'ks  in  the  conversion  of 
sinners.  And  since  it  is  by  appropriate  means  that  he 
accomplishes  his  purpo -es,  there  is  nothing  in  this  doctrine 
to  discourage  exertion.  There  are  means  which  carry  in 
themselves  the  rational  hope,  if  not  promise,  of  success. 
Gdd  will  not  accept  the  lame  for  sacrifice,  nor  send  down 
tihe  signs  of  hr^  approval  on  the  service  which  involves  no 


280  THE    NECESSITY    OF 

real  effort  of  heart  or  mind  in  liis  cause.  No  :  tlie  influ- 
ence of  the  Holy  Spirit  comes  not  as  a  bounty  upon  indo- 
lence, but  as  a  stimulus  to  exertion.  Its  office  is  not  to 
give  the  human  faculties  a  license  to  slumber,  but  to  sup- 
ply them  with  motives  to  watclifuhiess.  Its  descent  upon 
the  church  is  not  as  the  creeping  torpor  which  betokens 
disease,  but  as  an  element  of  activity  bespeaking  moral  and 
spiritual  health.  This  blessed  influence  is  unquestionably 
sovereign  in  the  dispensation  of  it.  God  giveth  it  in  such 
measures,  on  such  occasions,  and  to  such  instruments,  as 
it  seemeth  good  unto  hira.  He  that  directeth  the  course  of 
the  clouds,  and  causeth  them  to  di'op  their  treasures  where 
and  when  he  pleaseth,  makes  the  dew  of  his  grace,  and 
the  rain  of  his  Spirit,  to  fall  according  to  the  counsel  of 
his  own  will.  There  is  no  such  necessary  connection  be- 
tween the  exhibition  of  the  truth  and  the  conversion  of  the 
soul  as  there  is  between  the  application  of  fire  and  the 
combustion  of  inflammable  matter.  The  apostle  says, 
**  Who  then  is  Paul,  and  who  is  Apollos,  but  ministers  by 
whom  ye  believed,  even  as  the  Lord  gave  to  every  man  ?  I 
have  planted,  Apollos  watered,  but  God  gave  the  increase. 
So  then  neither  is  he  that  planteth  anything,  neither  he 
that  watereth ;  but  God  that  giveth  the  increase."  1  Cor. 
iii.  5,  7.  One  should  think  it  impossible  to  mistake  the 
meaning  of  this  language,  or  to  doubt  whether  special 
Divine  influence  be  necessary  for  the  conversion  of  tlie 
soul,  or  whether  the  communication  of  it  be  a  prerogative 
of  Divine  sovereignty. 

Still  there  is  every  ground  to  expect  the  influence  we 
need.  It  is  our  privilege  to  live  under  the  dispensation  of 
the  Spirit,  as  well  as  under  that  of  the  Messiah.  The 
former  of  these  follows  the  latter  :  or  perhaps,  more  cor- 
rectly   speaking,  they  are    identical  ;    the  covenant  estab- 


DIVINE    INFLUENCE.  281 

lished  in  Christ's  blood  is  the  economy  of  the  Spirit. 
The  ministry  of  reconciUation  is  the  ministry  of  the  Spirit. 
We  do  not  mean  to  assert  that  this  Divine  influence  is  con- 
fined to  the  Christian  economy,  for  since  the  beginning  of 
time  hath  no  soul  been  converted  or  sanctified  but  by  this 
heavenly  power ;  but  the  communications  before  the  com- 
ing of  Christ  were  limited,  partial,  and  scanty,  compared 
with  what  they  have  been  since  :  they  constituted  not  the 
shower,  but  only  the  drops  which  precede  it.  Hence  the 
language  of  the  evangelist,  "  This  spake  ye  of  the  Spirit, 
which  they  that  believe  on  him  should  receive  :  for  the 
Holy  Ghost  was  not  yet  given ;  because  that  Jesus  was  not 
yet  glorified."  John  vii.  39.  This  idea,  that  we  are  under 
the  Spirit's  economy,  should  enlarge  our  expectation  of  the 
richest  communication  of  this  invaluable  and  essential 
blessing.  The  view  we  have  given  of  Divine  sovereignty 
is  not  intended,  nor,  when  rightly  understood,  is  it  even 
calculated,  to  discourage  hope,  but  simply  to  teach  depend- 
ence. While  God  reserves  to  himself  the  right  of  be- 
stowm.ent,  and  acts  upon  his  own  rules  of  communication, 
he  warrants  and  invites  the  most  expansive  requests,  and 
the  largest  anticipations.  Since  he  has  promised  to  give 
the  boon  in  answer  to  the  prayer  of  faith,  it  would  seem 
to  be  our  own  fault  that  we  have  it  not  in  more  aboundinor 
measure.  The  very  recollection  of  our  privilege,  as  placed 
under  such  an  economy,  might  seem  to  be  enough  to  call 
forth  our  prayers,  and  to  awaken  our  expectations.  In- 
stead of  being  surprised  that  we  receive  so  much  of  this 
Divine  power  on  our  ministry  at  any  time,  even  the  most 
successful  periods  of  our  history,  we  should  be  surprised 
that  we  receive  so  little,  and  inquire  after  the  cause  of  ob- 
struction. In  a  country  like  Egypt,  where  rain  seldom 
falls,  the  shower  is  the  exception,  and  a  dry  atmosphere 


282  THE    NECESSITY    OF 

the  general  rule ;  but  in  our  Vciriable  climate,  the  long 
drought  is  the  rarity,  and  tlie  frequent  shower  is  the  com- 
mon occurrence.  The  husbandman  ploughs  and  sows  in 
this  land,  with  his  expectant  eyes  upon  the  heavens,  and 
feels  disappointed  if  the  fertilizing  rain  is  withheld.  So 
should  it  be  with  us,  in  reference  to  the  shower  of  God's 
grace.  We  are  not  under  the  dry  and  arid  atmosphere  of 
the  Levitical  economy,  but  we  enjoy  the  privilege  of  the 
cloud-dropping,  rain-falling  dispensation  of  the  Spirit ;  and 
with  us  the  question  should  be.  Why  have  we  not  more  of 
this  Divine  influence  ?  what  has  provoked  the  Lord  to 
withhold  from  us  the  genial  influences  of  his  grace  ?  In- 
stead of  being  at  any  time  astonished  that  our  ministry  is 
so  much  blessed,  we  should  inquire  why  it  is  not  always 
so.  When  we  consider  what  is  said,  that  God  "  willeth 
not  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  would  raiher  that  he  should 
repent  and  turn  from  his  wickedness  and  live  ;"  when  we 
recollect  what  he  has  done  for  the  salvation  of  sinners; 
•when  we  add  to  thi-s,  that  the  gospel  is  his  own  truth,  and 
preaching  his  own  institution  ;  we  are  sometimes  ready  to 
wonder  that  he  does  not  pour  out  that  influence  which  is 
necessary  to  give  effect  to  the  purposes  of  his  own  benevo- 
lence, and  almost  to  inquire,  "  What  does  the  Lord  now 
wait  for  ?"  In  answer  to  this  it  might  be  replied,  "  He 
waits  for  the  earnest  labors  of  his  ministers,  the  faith  of  his 
church,  and  the  believing  prayers  of  both." 

It  is  quite  perceptible  that  the  necessity  of  Divine  influ- 
ence is  rather  a  dogma  of  faith  than  a  principle  of  prac- 
tice, both  with  ministers  and  their  flocks.  Did  the  people 
really  believe  it,  were  it  matter  of  inwrought  conviction, 
and  were  there  the  least  seriousness  of  spirit  in  their  re- 
ligion, how  much  less  dependence  would  there  be  upon 
men,  how  much  less  said   about  talent,  how  much   less 


DIVINE    INFLUENCE.  283 

homage  paid  to  genius  and  eloquence,  and  how  much 
more  looking  up  to  God  by  intense  and  perseveiing  sup- 
plication. Recollecting  that  God  works  by  means,  and  by 
means  adapted  to  promote  the  end,  there  would  be  no 
danger  of  sinking  into  an  enthusiastic  and  irrational  neglect 
of  these,  while  on  the  contrary  there  would  be  more  con- 
stant and  serious  attendance  upon  them.  The  knowledge 
that  preaching,  and  especially  earnest  preaching,  is  the 
Spirit's  instrumentahty,  would  lead  men  to  seek  that  very 
instrumentality,  in  order  that  they  might  have  the  blessing. 
How  highly  would  it  exalt  the  minister  to  consider  him  as 
the  Spirit's  instilment,  and  how  important  would  it  make 
the  sermon  to  view  it  as  God's  means  to  bless  the  soul. 
It  is  immeasurably  to  sink  both,  to  view  them  apart  from 
God's  agency ;  it  is  to  cease  to  view  the  preacher  as  an 
ambassador  for  Christ,  and  instead  of  this,  to  listen  to  him 
only  as  the  lecturer  on  religion.  With  what  sacred  awe 
would  he  be  heard,  and  with  what  fervent  prayer,  too,  by 
those  who  viewed  him  as  the  appointed  medium  of  that 
influence,  which,  if  it  be  received,  would  illuminate,  renew, 
and  sanctify  the  soul  ? 

But  if  it  be  incumbent  on  the  people  to  remember  the 
dependence  of  means  upon  the  Divine  blessing,  how  much 
more  is  it  the  duty  of  ministers  themselves.  It  is  an 
article  of  our  creed,  it  is  often  the  subject  of  our  sermons, 
and  it  is  acknowledged  in  our  prayers ;  but  after  all,  is 
our  conviction  of  dependence  upon  the  Spirit  so  deep,  so 
practical,  and  so  constant,  as  to  prevent  us  from  attempt- 
ing anything  in  our  own  strength,  and  to  impel  us  to  be 
strong  only  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might  ? 
Do  we  conduct  the  pursuits  of  the  study,  as  well  as  regu- 
late the  prayers  of  the  closat,  by  this  conviction  ?  Do  we 
with  childhke  simplicity,  ard  in  the  very  spirit  we  inculcate 


284  THE    NECESSITY    OF 

upon  our  hearers  in  reference  to  their  own  personal  salva- 
tion, habitually  give  ourselves  up  to  the  guidance  and 
blessing  of  this  Divine  agent  ?  Do  we  look  up  for 
wisdom  to  guide  us  in  the  selection  of  our  texts  and 
tlie  composition  of  our  sermons?  Do  the  eye  and  the 
heart  go  up  to  heaven,  as  we  think  and  write  for  the 
people  ?  Do  we  go  to  our  pulpit  in  a  praying  frame,  as 
well  as  in  a  preaching  frame — praying  even  while  we 
preach,  for  our  people  as  well  as  for  ourselves  ?  Do  we 
thus  clothe  ourselves  with  Omnipotence,  and  go  forth  as 
with  the  Lord  ever  before  us.  Do  we  recollect  that  from 
all  that  crowd  of  immortal  souls  before  us,  we  shall  gather 
nothing  but  human  praise  or  censure,  except  the  Lord  be 
with  us ;  that  not  one  dark  mind  will  be  illumined,  not 
one  hard  heart  softened,  not  one  inquiring  soul  directed, 
not  one  wounded  spirit  healed,  not  one  uneasy  conscience 
appeased,  unless  God  the  Spirit  do  it  ?  Do  we  really 
want  to  accomplish  these  objects,  or  merely  to  deliver  a 
sermon  that  shall  please  the  people,  and  gratify  our  own 
vanity  ?  If  the  former,  how  entire,  how  confident,  how 
beheving,  should  be  our  sense  of  dependence  upon  some- 
thing far  higher  than  the  best  and  most  appropriate  instru- 
mentality !  Such  a  feeling  of  dependence  would  cramp 
none  of  the  energies  of  our  soul,  would  stunt  none  of  our 
powers,  quench  none  of  our  fire,  repress  none  of  our  in- 
tensity of  manner.  So  far  from  this,  we  should  derive 
-  from  it  unspeakable  advantage  in  addressing  our  heai-ers  ; 
a  seriousness,  tenderness,  and  majesty  would  pervade  our 
discourses,  beyond  what  the  greatest  unassisted  talent 
could  command  ;  a  something  superhuman  would  rest  upon 
us,  a  Divine  glory  would  irradiate  us,  and  we  should  speak 
in  power  and  demonstration  of  the  Spirit.  "  Possessed 
of  this  celestial  unction,  we  sh<nild  be  under  no  temptation 


DIVINE    INFLUENCE.  285 

to  neglect  a  plain  gospel,  in  quest  of  amusing  speculations 
and  unprofitable  novelties  ;  the  most  ordinary  topics  would 
open  themselves  with  a  freshness  and  interest,  as  though 
we  had  never  considered  them  before ;  and  the  tilings  of 
the  Spirit  would  display  their  inexhaustible  variety  and 
depth.  We  shall  pierce  the  invisible  world,  we  shall  look, 
so  to  speak,  into  eternity,  and  present  the  veiy  essence  of 
religion,  while  too  many  preachers,  for  want  of  spiritual 
discernment,  rest  satisfied  with  the  surface  and  the  shell. 
We  shall  not  allow  ourselves  to  throw  one  grain  of  incense 
on  the  altar  of  vanity,  and  shall  forget  ourselves  so  com- 
pletely as  to  convince  our  hearers  we  do  so  ;  and,  dis- 
placing everything  else  from  the  attention,  leave  nothing 
to  be  felt  or  thought  of  but  the  majesty  of  truth  and  the 
realities  of  eternity."*  The  preacher  who  cherishes  such  a 
frame  of  mind  will  appear  with  a  radiance  not  less  dazzling 
perhaps  than  that  of  genins,  but  far  more  sacred,  heavenly, 
and  divine ;  and  when  carried  to  his  highest  pitch  of  ear- 
nestness and  dependence,  seems  almost  to  reach  that 
sublime  symbol  of  the  Apocalypse,  of  the  angel  standing 
in  the  sun. 

**  But  this  kind  goeth  not  forth  but  by  fasting  and  prayer." 
A  deep,  practical  conviction  of  the  need  of  the  Spirit,  would 
make  us  men  of  prayer,  would  send  us  much  to  our  closets, 
and  keep  us  there.  Here  perhaps  is  the  cause  why  we 
have  not  more  success  in  our  ministry,  and  are  not  more  fre- 
quently and  more  heartily  gladdened  by  the  conversion  of 
souls  to  God  :  we  seek  to  be  men  of  the  pulpit  merely,  and 
are  not  sufficiently  men  of  the  closet.  It  is  a  mystery  in 
God's  moral  government  that  he  should  make  the  commu- 


*  Mr.  Hall  on  the  Discouragements  and  Support  of  the  Christian 
Ministry. 


28G  THE    NECESSITY    OF 

nication  of  his  o-race  for  the  salvation  of  sinners  dependent 
in  an}'  degree  upon  the  prayers  of  others  :  yet  he  does  so, 
and  we  know  it :  and  yet  knowing  it,  how  little  have  we 
been  affected  by  it  and  stirred  up  to  piayer  on  this  ac- 
count. We  have  uttered  our  complaints  of  the  fruitlessness 
of  our  ministry  long  enough  before  one  another ;  but,  as 
the  Bishop  of  Calcutta  says  in  his  introduction  to  the 
"  Reformed  Pastor,"  "  One  day  spent  in  fasting  and  prayer 
to  God  is  worth  a  thousand  days  of  complaint  and  lamenta- 
tion before  men."  The  author  of  this  work  can  assure  his 
brethren  that  it  is  not  with  any  disposition  to  accuse  them, 
and  exalt  or  exculpate  himself,  that  he  writes  thus.  He 
takes  his  full  share  of  blame  in  the  deficiency  of  a  spirit  of 
fervent  prayer,  and  his  full  share  of  humiliation  too,  on 
that  account.  The  activities  of  the  age,  which  require  us 
to  be  so  much  in  public,  may  furnish  some  mitigation  of 
blame,  if  not  an  excuse,  for  the  too  little  time  spent  in  the 
fervor  of  private  prayer.  Devotion  is  damped  by  business. 
Still,  even  with  this  palliation,  we  are  verily  guilty,  for  we 
do  not  pray  as  if  we  believed  we  were  sent  to  save  souls 
from  death  and  could  not  be  successful  in  a  single  instance 
without  the  grace  of  God,  Who  of  us  can  read  the  dia- 
ries of  such  men  as  Doddridge,  and  Brainerd,  and  Payson, 
and  Martyn,  and  very  many  others,  and  not  stand  re- 
proved for  our  lamentable  deficiency  in  the  exercise  of 
prayer  ?  Perhaps  in  modern  times  there  was  never  so  much 
of  social  prayer,  and  never  less  of  private.  We  introduce 
all  our  business  transactions  with  prayer,  and  too  often  in  a 
kind  of  business  spirit,  and  with  a  sad  want  of  sincerity, 
seriousness,  and  deep  devotion  ;  so  that  the  very  frequency 
and  want  of  reverence  with  which  we  engage  in  these  ex- 
ercises of  devotion,  tend  to  diminish  the  spirit  of  prayer. 
Nothing  is  more  to  be  draaded  than  a  depression  of  the 


DIVn  E    INFLUENCE.  287 

spirit  of  devotion,  and  nothing  more  intensely  to  be  desired, 
than  its  elevation.  A  praying  ministry  must  be  an  earnest 
one,  and  an  earnest  ministry  a  praying  one.  Let  us  then 
feel  ourselves  called  upon  by  all  the  circumstances  of  the 
times,  to  abound  more  and  more  in  fervent  supplications. 
Let  us,  if  we  can  in  no  other  way  command  more  time  for 
prayer,  take  it  from  study  or  from  sleep.  We  have  neither 
right  nor  reason  to  expect  the  Spirit,  if  we  do  not  ask  for 
his  gracious  influence,  and  without  him  we  can  do  nothing. 
Let  us  take  care  lest  a  bustling  activity,  and  the  endless 
multiplication  of  societies,  should  supplant,  instead  of  call- 
ing forth,  as  they  ought  to  do,  a  feeling  of  intense  devo- 
tion. We  never  more  needed  prayer,  we  were  never  in 
more  danger  of  neglecting  it.  There  is  plausibiHty  in  the 
excuse  that  we  had  better  abridge  the  time  of  praying 
than  the  time  of  acting.  But  it  will  be  found  in  the  end 
that  doings  carried  on  at  the  saci'ifice  of  prayer,  will  end  in 
confusion  and  \'amty  A  public  spirit,  even  in  the  cause 
of  religion,  hoAvever  prevalent  or  energetic,  if  it  be  not 
maintained  in  a  feeling  of  dependence  upon  God,  will  be 
regarded  by  him  as  the  image  of  jealousy  in  the  temple, 
which  maketh  jealous.  Our  sermons  are  the  power  of  men^ 
or  perhaps  we  might  say,  their  weakness ;  but  our  prayers 
are  in  a  modified  serge  the  power  of  God.  Let  us  not 
slacken  in  preaching,  but  let  us  quicken  in  devotion ;  let 
us  not  quench  a  ray  of  intellect,  but  let  us  add  to  it  the 
warmth  of  devotion  ;  let  us  labor  as  if  the  salvation  of  souls 
depended  upon  our  own  unaided  energies,  and  then  let  us 
feel  as  did  the  apostle  wnen  he  said,  "though  I  be  noth- 
ing." The  eternal  destinies  of  our  hearers  hang  not  only 
upon  our  sermons,  but  upon  our  pravcis ;  we  carry  out 
the  purposes  of  our  mission,  not  only  in  the  pulpit,  but  in 
the  closet ;  and  may  never  expect  to  be  succe  ssful  minis- 


288  THE    NECESSITY    OF    DIVINE    INFLUENCE. 

ters  of  the  New  Covenant,  but  by  this  two-fold  importu- 
nity of  lirst  beseecliing  sinners  to  be  reconciled  to  God,  and 
then  beseeching  God  to  pour  out  his  Spirit  upon  them  : 
thus  we  honor  his  wisdom  in  the  use  of  the  means  he  has 
appointed,  and  then  his  power  by  confessing  our  depend- 
ence upon  his  grace. 

Baxter  concludes  his  "  Reformed  Pastor,"  with  an  ex- 
pression of  his  confidence  in  the  usefulness  of  the  book  he 
had  written,  which  it  would  be  unwarrantable  and  ridiculous 
vanity  in  me  to  adopt  in  reference  to  mine,  at  leasL  in  any 
other  way  than  that  of  hope  and  prayer,  and  in  this  spiiit 
I  bori-ow  the  language  of  that  great  and  holy  man,  and 
say,  "  I  have  now,  brethren,  done  with  my  advice,  and 
leave  you  to  the  practice.  Though  the  proud  receive  it 
with  scorn,  and  the  selfish  and  slothful  with  distaste,  or 
even  with  indignation,  I  doubt  not  but  God  will  use  it,  in 
despite  of  the  opposition  of  sin  and  Satan,  to  the  awaken- 
ing of  many  of  his  servants  to  their  duty,  and  to  the  promo- 
tion of  a  work  of  right  reformation  ;  and  that  his  blessing 
will  accompany  the  present  undertaking  ior  the  saving  of 
many  souls,  the  peace  of  you  that  understand  and  perform 
it,  the  excitinof  of  his  servants  throusfhout  the  nation  to 
second  you,  and  the  increase  of  the  purity  and  unity  of  liis 
churches.     Amei /* 


THK  BND. 


DATE    DUE 

-ri/L 

-^joqo 

I    I 

GAYLORD 

PRINTED  IN  U  S  A 

^ 


